I have finished my rewrite of PLAYING BY THE NUMBERS, a novel about a teenage girl whose older brother returns from Vietnam in 1974. Also, a picture book entitled UP TREETOP MOUNTAIN about a girl who attempts to scale a mountain but encounters a problem with each form of transportation she tries. Hopefully, my agent can find a home for both of them!

A wonderful children's author is visiting the Pacific Grove Library this afternoon. Anne Ylvisaker, author of BUTTON DOWN and CURSE OF THE BUTTONS will be talking to children about her writing and how she gets all of her great ideas. Using slides and old photographs, she explains her use of family history to create stories.

Just read a wonderful new picture book entitled THE NIGHT WORLD by Caldecott Medalist Mordicai Gerstein. A sleeping boy is awakened by a cat, who takes him on a tour of the house at nighttime. All of the illustrations are presented in shades of black and charcoal (with only the green of the cat's eyes as color), as the cat and boy travel outside and eventually witness the coming of a new day. There are many delightful images - and surprises - hidden in the shadows, and children will have fun finding them.

Just finished typing the last word of the last chapter of PLAYING BY THE NUMBERS. Now to the fun part: rewriting! I am really proud of this book and I feel that is quite good and very moving. Hope my agent and editors agree!

I am currently working on a novel for middle grade readers entitled PLAYING BY THE NUMBERS. The story takes place in 1974, shortly after President Ford gave amnesty to all of the young men who fled to Canada instead of choosing to fight in Vietnam. The girl's older brother returns, and she discovers that the family has hidden the truth about his defection and led everyone to believe that he did go to Vietnam and was reported "missing in action." In a series of flashbacks, we see the effect of his disappearance on the girl's life over the five years that he was gone.

Just finished a wonderful book entitled NUTS TO YOU by Lynn Rae Perkins (Newbery award winner for CRISS CROSS) Part WATERSHIP DOWN, part POPPY, and part INCREDIBLE JOURNEY it is the story of two squirrels who set out to rescue their companion, who has been snatched up by a hawk. In the meantime, their friend escapes from the hawk and is journeying home. Along the way they meet a host of colorful characters, and eventually become aware that men are cutting down trees and endangering their habitat. The three squirrels must return home and convince the rest of their community to flee, before it is too late.

I am currently working on a new novel about a high school girl in the early 1970's whose brother returns after five years in Canada as a conscientious objector. People in their small town have different attitudes and reactions to his return - most of all the girl's best friend who was wounded in Vietnam. The book is tentatively entitled PLAYING BY THE NUMBERS.