{"id":60080,"date":"2025-10-09T15:04:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T19:04:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=60080"},"modified":"2025-10-09T15:04:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T19:04:37","slug":"childrens-author-alexander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/childrens-author-alexander\/","title":{"rendered":"Prolific Children\u2019s Author Offers Some Halloween-Season Chills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">The latest book from Heather Alexander \u201989 is <em>Haunted USA<\/em>, which compiles spooky tales from all 50 states<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By <strong>Melissa Newcomb<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">As a child, Heather Alexander \u201989 would stay up late reading books under her blanket with a flashlight; by day, she\u2019d act out the characters with friends. Now, she writes her own children\u2019s books\u2014aiming to inspire today\u2019s kids to be just as passionate about reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/heatheralexanderbooks.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alexander has published<\/a> more than 70 works of fiction and nonfiction\u2014from activity books to chapter books to novels for middle-grade readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her latest, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quarto.com\/books\/9780711297364\/haunted-usa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Haunted USA<\/em><\/a><em>: Spine-tingling Stories from All 50 States<\/em>, offers (slightly) scary tales based on true stories, folklore, and legends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHave you ever seen pictures of playful otters frolicking in a river or ocean?\u201d She writes in the Alaska installment, about the Inuit legend of a shape-shifting creature. \u201cThese tiny, furry marine mammals couldn\u2019t be more adorable if they tried. But don\u2019t be fooled by all the cuteness\u2014something sinister is afloat!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"361\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/haunted-USA-A.jpg\" alt=\"The front cover of Alexander's newest book Haunted USA, featuring a skeleton wearing a scarf, a bat, gravestones, and a moose.\" class=\"wp-image-60093 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/haunted-USA-A.jpg 361w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/haunted-USA-A-217x300.jpg 217w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/haunted-USA-A-285x395.jpg 285w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/haunted-USA-A-181x250.jpg 181w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/haunted-USA-A-90x125.jpg 90w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s great for kids and parents to read and talk about together\u2014and they could even explore a nearby site from the book,\u201d says the L.A.-based author, who majored in English in Arts &amp; Sciences. \u201cThe bond between a parent and child over reading is hugely important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">The bond between a parent and child over reading is hugely important.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Like many of Alexander\u2019s creations,<em> Haunted USA<\/em> is geared toward middle-grade readers, aged nine through 12. She has also produced dozens of chapter books for six-to-nine-year-olds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her nonfiction has covered such topics as Greek and Norse mythology, Egyptology, art heists, and superstitions; her\u00a0<em>Only in America\u00a0<\/em>series explores fun facts about the 50 states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"822\" height=\"778\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/alexander-and-husband_crop2.jpg\" alt=\"Heather Alexander and her husband, Michael Seltzer\" class=\"wp-image-60160 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/alexander-and-husband_crop2.jpg 822w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/alexander-and-husband_crop2-300x284.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/alexander-and-husband_crop2-768x727.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/alexander-and-husband_crop2-632x598.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/alexander-and-husband_crop2-316x299.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/alexander-and-husband_crop2-400x379.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/alexander-and-husband_crop2-200x189.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/alexander-and-husband_crop2-100x95.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 822px) 100vw, 822px\" \/><figcaption>With husband Michael Seltzer \u201989, whom she met in an Intro to English Lit class.<\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>One of Alexander\u2019s books\u2014part of a series on trailblazers and innovators\u2014profiles a fellow Cornellian: former astronaut <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/vip-heather-alexander\/1136808743?ean=9780062889706\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mae Jemison, MD \u201981<\/a>, the first Black woman in space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m a very curious person; I like to go on deep dives into different subjects,\u201d Alexander notes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her book topics, she says, are \u201ca combination of questions that I want to answer and things I know kids love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>One of her favorite projects is the chapter-book series <em>Wallace and Grace<\/em>, which follows two detectives\u2014who happen to be owls\u2014through their adventures to figure out (as she puts it) &#8220;whooo-dunit.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis gentle mystery supports newly independent readers, with short sentences, repetition, in-text definitions, and color illustrations,\u201d says a <em>Booklist<\/em> review of <em>Wallace and Grace Take the Case. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBubbly Grace and keen-eyed Wallace make an ace detective team who ably demonstrate the value of teamwork and friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"993\" data-id=\"60146\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/Mae_Jemison_book_crop.jpeg\" alt=\"The cover of &quot;Dr. Mae Jemison: Brave Rocketeer&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-60146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/Mae_Jemison_book_crop.jpeg 662w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/Mae_Jemison_book_crop-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/Mae_Jemison_book_crop-527x790.jpeg 527w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/Mae_Jemison_book_crop-263x395.jpeg 263w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/Mae_Jemison_book_crop-333x500.jpeg 333w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/Mae_Jemison_book_crop-167x250.jpeg 167w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/Mae_Jemison_book_crop-83x125.jpeg 83w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"60145\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/book-middle-grade-eatbugs_crop.jpeg\" alt=\"The cover of Eat Bugs: Pitch Partners\" class=\"wp-image-60145\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/book-middle-grade-eatbugs_crop.jpeg 667w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/book-middle-grade-eatbugs_crop-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/book-middle-grade-eatbugs_crop-527x790.jpeg 527w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/book-middle-grade-eatbugs_crop-263x395.jpeg 263w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/book-middle-grade-eatbugs_crop-334x500.jpeg 334w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/book-middle-grade-eatbugs_crop-167x250.jpeg 167w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/book-middle-grade-eatbugs_crop-83x125.jpeg 83w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Her book on astronaut Jemison, and the second in a series about young entrepreneurs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While Alexander came to the Hill knowing she liked to write, she became drawn to children\u2019s literature after serving as a research assistant to Pulitzer Prize-winning author and English professor <a href=\"https:\/\/news.cornell.edu\/stories\/2020\/12\/pulitzer-winning-writer-and-professor-alison-lurie-dies-94\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alison Lurie<\/a>, an authority on the genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLike any creative process, there\u2019s a lot of rejection and criticism,\u201d Alexander admits. \u201cI have been so blessed to have so many books out\u2014but for every one, I\u2019ve probably sent out seven other proposals that never saw the light of day. It\u2019s about persevering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide is-style-solid-color\"><blockquote><p>Alexander became drawn to children\u2019s literature after serving as a research assistant to Pulitzer Prize-winning author and English professor Alison Lurie, an authority on the genre.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to writing, Alexander runs <a href=\"https:\/\/xanderstoryscouts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Xander Story Scouts<\/a>, which identifies and acquires literary content for a variety of platforms and global media companies, among other services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She recently helped Sesame Workshop turn <em>Charlotte\u2019s Web<\/em> into a three-part special for HBO Max.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"410\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/halexander4-A.jpeg\" alt=\"Heather Alexander in her black cap and gown with her brother, Craig.\" class=\"wp-image-60121 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/halexander4-A.jpeg 410w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/halexander4-A-300x256.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/halexander4-A-316x270.jpeg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/halexander4-A-400x341.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/halexander4-A-200x171.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/10\/halexander4-A-100x85.jpeg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><figcaption>At Commencement with her brother, Craig Alexander \u201991. <\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on the classic tale by fellow Cornellian E.B. White 1921, it premiered in early October 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alexander also travels around the country to visit schools, leading activities such as writing workshops and theater exercises where kids act out her books. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She runs a book club for kids in her L.A. neighborhood, and cofounded the annual <a href=\"https:\/\/morristownbooks.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Morristown Festival of Books<\/a> in her former New Jersey town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cReading can transport you to another place or ignite your interest in a new subject,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s all about firing up kids\u2019 curiosity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Top: Alexander during a school visit. (All photos provided.) <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Published October 9, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The latest book from Heather Alexander \u201989 is Haunted USA, which compiles spooky tales from all 50 states<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":60092,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"alumni_hub_syml_posts":[33646,24903,60027],"footnotes":""},"categories":[229],"tags":[],"cornell_year_post":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-60080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Prolific Children\u2019s Author Offers Some Halloween-Season Chills - Cornellians | Cornell University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The latest book from Heather Alexander \u201989 is Haunted USA, which compiles spooky tales from all 50 states\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/childrens-author-alexander\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Prolific Children\u2019s Author Offers Some Halloween-Season Chills - 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