I am also the author of Blue Ribbon, written under the pen name of Jessie Gray. The memories of my childhood are sharp and clear. I came from an impoverished family of seven. When you have very little, the library can become the source of joy and adventure. As a child, we never lived anywhere longer than two years, but I always found the local library or haunted the book mobiles that came to our schools. I told my mother I would one day write a book. Unfortunately, she died when I was 25. I went to college as a young adult, and published my first book through Putnan/Penquin/Berkley when I was 31. I am so thankful for my childhood. It taught me the value of so many things. These books I write, Mom, are for you!