About

I am an award-winning children’s book author, magazine writer, writing teacher and speaker. My wide-ranging passions include astronomy, volcanology, art, music, history, nature, waves, jokes, crayons, and mud — anything that catches my fancy. I believe in the power of discovery, untold stories, and persistent questions. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction for children or adults or teaching workshops, I hope my work opens doors, opens minds, opens possibilities.

Featured Work

The Next Wave: The Quest to Harness the Power of the Oceans

2014

Join award-winning writer Elizabeth Rusch for an inside look at this exciting new renewable energy field. Follow Annette von Jouanne, her students and her private-company-partners as they struggle to create clever wave energy devices that float atop the waves. Step into the world of “the Mikes”—Mike Morrow and Mike Delos-Reyes—engineers and life-long friends who are trying to build a very different device that sits on the ocean floor. See the work of the scientists at Ocean Power Technologies, who might just be the first in the water to provide real energy to real people.

From the lab to the open ocean, the water park to the tsunami-testing basin, discover if it’s really possible to harness the awesome power of our incredible oceans. Could this really be the next wave?

Other Works

  • Muddy Max:The Mystery of Marsh Creek

    2014

  • Volcano Rising

    2013

  • Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit up the World

    2013

  • Eruption! Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives

    2012

  • The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity

    2012

  • For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart

    2011

  • A Day With No Crayons

    2007

  • The Planet Hunter: The Story Behind What Happened to Pluto

    2007

  • Will it Blow? Become a Volcano Detective at Mount St. Helens

    2007

  • Generation Fix: Young Ideas for a Better World

    2002

Awards and Recognition

  • Junior Library Guild selection, The Next Wave, 2014-2015
  • ALA Notable, for Eruption!, 2014, The Mighty Mars Rovers, 2013
  • CCBC Choice for Eruption! and Volcano Rising, 2014
  • Children's Book Committee Best Book of the Year for Electrical Wizard, 2014
  • Association of School Librarians Northern California Distinguished Books for Eruption!
  • Pennsylvania Readers Choice Award finalist for Eruption!, 2014
  • Flicker Tale children's choice award finalist (North Dakota) for Eruption!, 2015
  • AAAS/Subaru Prize finalist for Eruption!, 2014
  • Booklist Top 30 for K-8 for Eruption!, 2013
  • Best Book of the Year lists for School Library Journal and NBC News, 2013 for Eruption!
  • Outstanding Science Tradebook for Eruption!, Volcano Rising, and Electrical Wizard, 2013
  • Gelett Burgess Award for biography for Electrical Wizard, 2013
  • Children's Book of the Month Club selection for Volcano Rising, 2013