Alumni Prolific Children’s Author Offers Some Halloween-Season Chills Stories You May Like Alum’s Book Pays Tribute to the Legendary Clocktower Pumpkin Bestselling Children’s Author Weaves Tales of Wonder Two Truths and a Lie: Alumni Authors Edition The latest book from Heather Alexander ’89 is Haunted USA, which compiles spooky tales from all 50 states By Melissa Newcomb As a child, Heather Alexander ’89 would stay up late reading books under her blanket with a flashlight; by day, she’d act out the characters with friends. Now, she writes her own children’s books—aiming to inspire today’s kids to be just as passionate about reading. Alexander has published more than 70 works of fiction and nonfiction—from activity books to chapter books to novels for middle-grade readers. Her latest, Haunted USA: Spine-tingling Stories from All 50 States, offers (slightly) scary tales based on true stories, folklore, and legends. “Have you ever seen pictures of playful otters frolicking in a river or ocean?” She writes in the Alaska installment, about the Inuit legend of a shape-shifting creature. “These tiny, furry marine mammals couldn’t be more adorable if they tried. But don’t be fooled by all the cuteness—something sinister is afloat!” Other spectral entities include a New Hampshire witch, a Missouri swamp monster, a chocolate-loving ghost in Iowa, and a headless skeleton pirate in Mississippi. “It’s great for kids and parents to read and talk about together—and they could even explore a nearby site from the book,” says the L.A.-based author, who majored in English in Arts & Sciences. “The bond between a parent and child over reading is hugely important.” The bond between a parent and child over reading is hugely important. Like many of Alexander’s creations, Haunted USA is geared toward middle-grade readers, aged nine through 12. She has also produced dozens of chapter books for six-to-nine-year-olds. Her nonfiction has covered such topics as Greek and Norse mythology, Egyptology, art heists, and superstitions; her Only in America series explores fun facts about the 50 states. With husband Michael Seltzer ’89, whom she met in an Intro to English Lit class. One of Alexander’s books—part of a series on trailblazers and innovators—profiles a fellow Cornellian: former astronaut Mae Jemison, MD ’81, the first Black woman in space. “I’m a very curious person; I like to go on deep dives into different subjects,” Alexander notes. Her book topics, she says, are “a combination of questions that I want to answer and things I know kids love.” One of her favorite projects is the chapter-book series Wallace and Grace, which follows two detectives—who happen to be owls—through their adventures to figure out (as she puts it) "whooo-dunit." Stories You May Like Alum’s Book Pays Tribute to the Legendary Clocktower Pumpkin Bestselling Children’s Author Weaves Tales of Wonder “This gentle mystery supports newly independent readers, with short sentences, repetition, in-text definitions, and color illustrations,” says a Booklist review of Wallace and Grace Take the Case. “Bubbly Grace and keen-eyed Wallace make an ace detective team who ably demonstrate the value of teamwork and friendship.” Her book on astronaut Jemison, and the second in a series about young entrepreneurs. While Alexander came to the Hill knowing she liked to write, she became drawn to children’s literature after serving as a research assistant to Pulitzer Prize-winning author and English professor Alison Lurie, an authority on the genre. “Like any creative process, there’s a lot of rejection and criticism,” Alexander admits. “I have been so blessed to have so many books out—but for every one, I’ve probably sent out seven other proposals that never saw the light of day. It’s about persevering.” Alexander became drawn to children’s literature after serving as a research assistant to Pulitzer Prize-winning author and English professor Alison Lurie, an authority on the genre. In addition to writing, Alexander runs Xander Story Scouts, which identifies and acquires literary content for a variety of platforms and global media companies, among other services. She recently helped Sesame Workshop turn Charlotte’s Web into a three-part special for HBO Max. At Commencement with her brother, Craig Alexander ’91. Based on the classic tale by fellow Cornellian E.B. White 1921, it premiered in early October 2025. Alexander also travels around the country to visit schools, leading activities such as writing workshops and theater exercises where kids act out her books. She runs a book club for kids in her L.A. neighborhood, and cofounded the annual Morristown Festival of Books in her former New Jersey town. “Reading can transport you to another place or ignite your interest in a new subject,” she says. “It’s all about firing up kids’ curiosity.” Top: Alexander during a school visit. (All photos provided.) Published October 9, 2025 Comments Melissa Levy, Class of 1993 12 Oct, 2025 Heather’s books are spectacular! Her passion for helping children explore their curiosity through literature is evident in all her books and on the faces of the kids when they are reading them. Lots of fun and interesting subjects, these make fantastic gifts! 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