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I write contemporary, realistic fiction about teens who think seriously about themselves and the world, who take risks, make mistakes, figure out what they love, and learn to laugh at themselves. My books contain a lot of 'issues,' but they are humorous as well, and they have won awards: IRA's Teacher's Choice; NYPL's Books for the Teen Age; Notable Trade Books in Social Studies; Maine Student Book Award.

My newest novel is NOT LIKE YOU (Clarion 2007) about 15-year-old Kayla's attempts to create a life for herself after years of taking care of her alcoholic mother. NOT LIKE YOU is about first love, mother-daughter bonds, and the search for independence. Booklist says, "Written in Kayla's believable voice, Davis's moving, gritty novel builds to a hopeful, realistic close." And Cynthia Leitich Smith commented, "...insightful, resonant, powerful, and inspiring...the best mother-daughter book I’ve read..."

When I teach writing workshops, I teach from the belief that everyone can write well, given the right support and encouragement. I love working with reluctant writers. As a teen, I was a reluctant writer. Terrified, even. Now I believe that the scared or hesitant writers usually have the most to say.

I recently moved from Seattle to Berkeley, California, an area that is rich with writers and literary events. I've been warmly welcomed here, and I'm thrilled to be launching Not Like You (Clarion, 2007) from the Bay area.

I write contemporary, realistic fiction about teens who think seriously about themselves and the world, who take risks, make mistakes, figure out what they love, and learn to laugh at themselves. My books contain a lot of 'issues,' but they are humorous as well, and they have won awards: IRA's Teacher's Choice; NYPL's Books for the Teen Age; Notable Trade Books in Social Studies; Maine Student Bo... More