I’ve always scratched around on guitar, and I love to jam with others. Playing music makes me a better writer, and writing makes me a better musician. Each graciously opens the door for the other. But I still can't read music. Among my musical friends, I'm known as "14-Bar Wesselhoeft." (12-bar is the norm.)

Conrad performs the YA Cha-Cha Blues.

Conrad channels Harry Belafonte at a farewell retirement concert for Dave Kratz.

Conrad and Toby Martin jamming with a four-legged percussionist named Django.

DIRT BIKES, DRONES, AND OTHER WAYS TO FLY is a 2014 Junior Library Guild selection.

DIRT BIKES, DRONES, AND OTHER WAYS TO FLY has landed on Air & Space/Smithsonian’s 2014 list of Best Aviation and Space-Themed Books for Young Readers. The list--which will be published in December--is an annual roundup of children’s and YA titles that focus on flying.