My world was small growing up. I never really left the three-mile radius of my tiny neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley.

Growing up, I was always the small guy.

Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, I grew up around a lot of Jews. I grew up culturally Jewish, ethnically Jewish, but without real belief and without a strong faith.

Growing up, I was always prancing around and singing... and I just never really stopped.

Growing up, I never imagined I would be an actor.

I was a very observant child. The boys in my books are based on boys in my neighborhood growing up.