My book 'Things Get Better' has normalised the idea that it’s OK to fail and it’s OK to seek professional help from psychologists.

I don’t think many people stare at people in wheelchairs because we see it regularly. I suppose if you see more in the media it will take away the curiosity.

There’s nothing worse than saying the past is in the past, then dragging it into your kid’s life."

I have learnt from Simon Cowell that anything is possible if you work hard enough and also that acts of kindness or giving somebody a few minutes of your time can have a massive impact on their life and their future.

I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. My family was not nationally known as being a literary family, though my mother and my mother's side of the family in general were interested in literature.

Gym class was, of course, where the strongest, best-looking kids were made captains and chose us spazzes last. More important, it was where the figures of supposed authority allowed them to do so. Forget the work our parents did molding our minds and values. Everything fell apart as soon as we put on those maroon polyester gym suits.

It's based around a Jewish family but it really is a universal theme about getting along and coming along.

It is true for my family and many others: Adoption has made us infinitely richer in the ways that matter most.