Podnotes

Because of Winn Dixie

Kate Dicamilo

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Script of Podcast

Opal has no friends.  Her mom has left and her dad, a preacher, has gotten a new job in another town.  Opal didn’t have a friend in the world.

 One day her dad sent her to the grocery store.  While she was there a dog wandered into the store.  It got into the produce section and all the fruit and vegetables started going every which way.  The manager came over and demanded “Whose dog is this?”  Opal waited.  When nobody responded she said”it’s mine” Of course the manager did not believe her.  “What’s the dog’s name?” he asks her. The only thing Opal could think of was the name of the store -Winn Dixie.  She bends down and calls the dog, “Come here, Winn Dixie, Come here” 

And do you know what?  The dog came right over. Opal had made her first friend.  And Opal’s life began to change “Because of Winn-Dixie”

 Read Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DeCamillo to find out how Winn Dixie and Opal made more friends.

Other Books by Kate DiCamillo

 Mercy Watson Fights Crime
Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Mercy Watson to the Rescue
The Tiger Rising
Because of Winn Dixie
The Tale of Desperaux

Kate’s Website

http://www.katedicamillo.com

About the Author

It's a pipe dream of many an aspiring author: publish your debut novel, claim a spot on the New York Times bestseller list, and rack up an astonishing array of awards, including a Newbery Honor. For Kate DiCamillo, author of Because of Winn-Dixie, it was a dream come true--and nobody could have been more surprised than she was. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole days walking into walls. Literally," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."

She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but moved with her family to Florida when she was five years old. "People talked more slowly and said words I had never heard before, like 'ain't' and 'y'all' and 'ma'am," she says, recalling her first impressions. "The town was small, and everybody knew everybody else. It was all so different from what I had known before, and I fell swiftly and madly in love."

Indeed, it was homesickness for Florida's warmth that helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie, which Kate DiCamillo describes as "a hymn of praise to dogs, friendship, and the South." The author was experiencing winter in Minnesota, where she had moved when she was in her twenties. "I was also missing the sound of Southern people talking," she says. "And I was missing having a dog. One night before I went to sleep, I heart this little girl's voice with a Southern accent say, 'I have a dog named Winn-Dixie.' I just started writing down what India Opal Buloni was telling me."

Her second novel, the National Book Award finalist The Tiger Rising, is "considerably darker" than Because of Winn-Dixie," she notes, "but there's light and redemption in it." Once again, the story began with the appearance of a single character. "Rob Horton showed up in a short story I wrote and than hung around the house driving me crazy," she says. "I finally asked him what he wanted, and he told me he knew where there was a tiger." Like Opal in Because of Winn-Dixie, Rob struggles with the loss of a parent and ultimately discovers the healing power of friendship. "I don't think adults always realize how much friends mean to kids," Kate DiCamillo says. "My friends have been the saving grace of my life."

She credits one friend's son for inspiring her extraordinary new book, The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread. As she tells it, "A few years ago, my best friend's son asked me if I would write a story for him. 'Well,' I said, 'I don't normally write stories on command.' 'But this is a story that I know you would want to tell,' he said. 'It's about an unlikely hero. He has exceptionally large ears.' 'What happens to this hero?' I asked. 'I don't know,' he said. 'That's why I want you to write it down, so you can find out.' Well, Luke Bailey, three years later, here is the story of what happened to your exceptionally large-eared, unlikely hero."

When asked about her latest book, she says, "One Christmas, I received an elegantly dressed toy rabbit as a gift. I brought him home, placed him on a chair in my living room, and promptly forgot about him. A few days later, I dreamed that the rabbit was face-down on the ocean floor - lost, and waiting to be found. In telling The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, I was lost for a good long while, too. And then, finally, like Edward, I was found."

She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week. "E. B. White said, 'All that I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world,' " she says. "That's the way I feel too."

(Taken from http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?author_number=573)

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Podnotes

Hatchet

Gary Paulsen

Script        Other Books        Author's Website        About the Author

He took over the controls, just how the pilot had showed him earlier.   He knew he had to find a clearing, somewhere with no trees to bring down the plane.  All he saw were tree tops.

Now miles off course, Brian saw a lake that was big enough to bring down the plane.

 As the plane tore through the tree tops and landed hard on the lake surface, it broke apart, sinking and pulling Brian into the cold water.  Further and further down.

 Brian pulled himself free.  When he woke he was on the shore and in pain.

 Everything had gone down in the plane. He had the clothes on his back and the hatchet on his belt. No food, no fire, no supplies.

 Brain was alone in the Canadian wilderness.

 Does he survive?

 Read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen to find out.

Other Books by Gary Paulsen

Brian’s Winter
The River
Brian’s Song
Brian’s Hunt
Brain’s Return
Dancing Carl
Dogteam
Nightjohn
The Winter Room
The Haymeadow
The Tent

…..many, many more

Gary’s Website 

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/

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About the Author

Gary Paulsen was born on May 17, l939 in Minnesota. During the first few years of his life, he was raised by his grandmother and several aunts because his father was stationed in Europe during World War II. His mother worked in a factory. He lived overseas after the war in the Philippines between 1946-49. After that time, he was constantly moving because of his father's military career. His parents were alcoholics and eventually Gary had to move out and live with relatives and be self supporting.

He found security and support from his grandmother and aunts, but he also found comfort in books. A librarian offered him a library card while he was warming himself from the cold. He read constantly, even as much as a book a day. Ever since he was fifteen, he worked many jobs to support himself.

He attended Bemidji College, now Bemidji State University, in Minnesota, paying his tuition by being a trapper. He also spent some time in the army. He decided one day to try writing and tried to become a magazine editor. He spent nearly a year as an associate magazine editor on a magazine for men in Hollywood, California. He published his first book, Special War, in 1966. His early career was very productive. He published nearly forty books and several articles and short stories. His career was interrupted by a lawsuit in 1977 over Winterkill. He won the lawsuit but at a high cost. During that time he picked up the hobby of dog sledding which because the subject of some of his future works, like Dogsong. He later attended the University of Colorado in 1972. He suffered a heart attack in 1990 which has reduced some of his physical activity. He continues "on the go" sledding, motorcycling and sailing. He and his wife Ruth who has illustrated some of his books live in La Luz, New Mexico and Minnesota.

(Taken from http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/paulsen.htm)

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Podnotes

No Right Turn

Terry Trueman

Script         Other Books        Author's Website         About the Author

Script of Podcast

 
There is something about fast cars and cute girls that attract boys like metal to a magnet. The ad for the movie version of this book would include Jordan sneaking into his neighbor’s garage and taking out the Corvette and going for joy rides.  And of course he meets the cute girl along the way.  But the story is about much more.

 Jordan actually has been a zombie for the past three years.  He has no friends and no interests. Not only was he in the house when his father decided to end his life but Jordan tried to do CPR to save him.  Jordan never understood why his father ended his life or why he wanted Jordan in the house when he did it.  He has discussed it with no one.

 The corvette comes into his life because his mother begins to date Don to whom the corvette belongs. Don lives in the neighborhood and Jordan often sees him out working on the car and stops by and helps.

But there was something about the Corvette that keeps calling him and he decides to take it out for a spin when Don is out of town.  At first just around the block but each time the trips get longer and longer.  And on one of those trips he meets Becka Thorson, the cute cheerleader.  And she likes him or does she like the Vette? 

But because of the Vette and Becka, Jordan starts living again. He starts talking about his father.  But do all the lies and police catch up with him?

Read No Right Turn by Terry Trueman to find out.

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Other Books by Terry Trueman

Stuck in Neutral
Inside Out
Cruise Control
No Right Turn
7 days at the Hot Corner
Swallowing the Sun

Terry’s Website 

http://www.terrytrueman.com/

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About the Author

Terry Trueman was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but grew up in Seattle. He attended the University of Washington, where he received his B.A. in creative writing. He also has an M.S. in applied psychology and an M.F.A. in creative writing, both from Eastern Washington University. The father of two sons, Henry and Jesse, Terry Trueman makes his home in Spokane, Washington, where he has lived since 1974. His first novel, STUCK IN NEUTRAL was a Printz Honor recipient. INSIDE OUT, his second novel was released in August 2003. CRUISE CONTROL, his third US novel will be a companion to STUCK IN NEUTRAL -- the powerful story of a family torn apart by disability and divorce, told from Paul McDaniel's point of view -- the brother of wheelchair bound Shawn. Hodder Books released SWALLOWING THE SUN, which follows a teen’s heroic efforts to save friends and family after his Honduran village is destroyed by a devastating mudslide, in October of 2003 in the UK only. Trueman's hobbies include his Sea Ray boat and his 1976 Corvette Stingray. One of his heroes is poet Charles Bukowski.

(Taken from http://www.teenreads.com/authors/au-trueman-terry.asp)

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Podnotes

Picture of Hollis Woods

Patricia Reilly Giff

Script         Other Books        Author's Website         About the Author  

Script of Podcast

The baby was found on the street corner wrapped in a blanket with a tag that said “Please call her Hollis Woods”

Hollis was placed in foster care and went from home to home.  Hollis was angry.

 More than anything else in the world, Hollis wanted a family.  When she was in 1^st grade her teacher had asked the students to bring in pictures that begin with the letter W.  Hollis brought in a picture of a family, a mother, father, sister and brother.  When the teacher came to check her picture she said father begins with F and placed a large X over the father, mother begins with M and placed another X on the picture.  As teacher walked away, Hollis thought to herself what about Wishing and Wanting. Hollis carried that picture in her backpack and never forgot.

 Hollis continued to run away from the foster homes and then placed in another. When she was 12 years old she had the opportunity to participate in the Open Air program that places city kids out in the country with families for the summer.  She didn’t want to go.

 But it is there that she met the Regan’s, a family with a mother, father and a son, just like in the picture in her backpack, only the daughter was missing.  They liked Hollis and Hollis liked them.  They asked her to come and live with them when the school year began and she agreed and then something happened, something terrible.  Hollis ran away.

 Back in the city she began her life in a new foster home with Josie the retired art teacher.  But she never forgot the Regan’s.  But she refused to see them.

 Will Hollis ever become part of the Regan family? Can she help Josie who keeps on forgetting and stop them from sending her to another foster home?

Read Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff to find out.

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Other Books by Patricia Reilly Giff 

Water Street
Willow Run
All the Way Home
The Gift of the Pirate Queen
A House of Tailors
Lilly’s Crossing
Maggie’s Door
Nora Ryan’s Song
……and many, many more

Patricia’s Website

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/patriciareillygiff/

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   "I always start each day by writing. That's like breathing to me," says two time Newbery Honor Award winner Patricia Reilly Giff. In fact, this bestselling author admits: "I wanted to write from the first time I picked up a book and read. I thought it must be the most marvelous thing to make people dance across the pages."

   Reading and writing have always been an important part of Patricia Reilly Giff's life. As a child, her favorite books included Little Women, The Secret Garden, the Black Stallion books, the Sue Barton books, and the Nancy Drew series. Giff loved reading so much that while growing up, her sister had to grab books out of her hands to get Giff to pay attention to her; later, Giff's three children often found themselves doing the same thing. As a reading teacher for 20 years, the educational consultant for Dell Yearling and Young Yearling books, an adviser and instructor to aspiring writers, and the author of more than 60 books for children, Patricia Reilly Giff has spent her entire life surrounded by books.

   After earning a B.A. degree from Marymount College, Giff took the advice of the school's dean and decided to become a teacher. She admits, "I loved teaching. It was my world. I only left because I was overwhelmed with three careers-teaching, writing, and my family." During the 20 years of her teaching career, she earned an M.A. from St. John's University, a Professional Diploma in Reading and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hofstra University. Then, one morning Giff told her husband, Jim, "I'm going to write a book. I've always wanted to write and now I shall." Jim worked quickly to combine two adjacent closets in their apartment into one cramped workspace and as Giff jokes, she "began [her] career in a closet."

   Giff tries to write books "that say ordinary people are special." She says, "All of my books are based in some way on my personal experiences, or the experiences of members of my family, or the stories kids would tell me in school." Therefore, when she runs out of ideas for her books, Giff says, "I take a walk and look around. Maybe I spend some time in a classroom and watch the kids for a while. Sometimes I lie on the living room floor and remember my days in second grade or third. If all that doesn't work, I ask Ali, or Jim, or Bill"- Giff's children, whose names often appear in her books.

   Giff and her husband reside in Trumbull, Connecticut. They have three children and six grandchildren. In 1990, Giff combined her two greatest loves: children's books and her family, and with her husband and her children, opened "The Dinosaur's Paw," a children's bookstore named after one of her Kids of the Polk Street School novels. This store is part of Giff's quest to bring children and books together. She and her family are trying to "share our love of children's books and writing and help others explore the whole world of children's books."

   Throughout the year, Giff visits schools and libraries around the country and speaks to her readers about her books, and about writing. When discussing her work, Giff claims, "I have no special talent, you know. I never took a writing course before I began to write." She believes that "anyone who has problems, or worries, anyone who laughs and cries, anyone who feels can write. It's only talking on paper . . . talking about the things that matter to us."

   Patricia Reilly Giff's novels Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods are Newbery Honor Books. In addition, her books have won numerous awards and accolades from educators, parents, and kids.
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot

(Taken from  http://www.childrenslit.com/f_giff.html)

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Podnotes

Among the Hidden

Margaret Peterson Haddix

 Script         Other Books        Author's Website         About the Author

Script of Podcast

The government said each family could have only two children.  THE GOVERNMENT SAID!!!

 Luke’s parents knew that their neighbors could turn them in and get a reward if they knew they had a third child so Luke was hidden. 

 One day after his parents had gone to work and his siblings had gone to school, Luke was peeking out of the attic window.  He was always very careful not to be seen.  But he noticed across the way that there was some else peeking out of a window. He watched the house for days.

 He knew it was risky but he did it anyways.  Cutting across lawns he made his way to that house.  And indeed, there was another third child there. Jennifer.

 The quickly became friends. The got together often. Jen showed him the network of third children on her computer.

 The government knew about Jennifer, they knew about the network of 3^rd children on Jen’s computer.  The Population Police arrives at her door and takes her away.

 
Has Luke put himself and his family at risk?

 
Read Among the Hidden, the 1^st book in the Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

Other Books by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Double Identity
Just Ella
The Girl with 500 Middle Names
Among the Hidden
Turnabout
Because of Anya
Among the Imposters
Among the Betrayed
Among the Barons
Escape From Memory
Say What?

Margaret’s Website

None

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About the Author

Margaret Peterson Haddix is the bestselling author of many novels for young readers, including BECAUSE OF ANYA, TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS, TURNABOUT, JUST ELLA, LEAVING FISHERS, and the SHADOW CHILDREN series. Her work has been honored with the International Reading Association Children's Book Award, ALA Best Books for Young Adults and Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers citations, and state readers' choice lists in twenty-eight states. Margaret graduated from Miami University with degrees in creative writing, journalism, and history, and has worked as a newspaper reporter and a community college instructor. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Doug, and their children, Meredith and Connor.

(Taken from http://www.teenreads.com/authors/au-haddix-margaret.asp)

An interview with awesome author Margaret Peterson Haddix by Dominique, the 2006 YABC teen demi-goddess.

Where did you get your inspiration for the Shadow Children Series?

I first started thinking about Among the Hidden when my husband and I were trying to decide whether to have a third child. All the reasons we could come up with for having or not having another baby seemed entirely subjective—except the possibility that the world was overpopulated, and it might be irresponsible to have more than two kids. I found that issue frustrating, though, and I can remember thinking one night, “Well, really, if overpopulation were really that bad, there’d be a law, that nobody could have a third child.” My next thought was, “What if there was a law against third children?” I knew instantly that I had an idea for a book, although I certainly didn’t picture it as a seven-book series until much, much later.

What do you think the future for the world will be like?

Watching the latest trends in population figures makes me think that overpopulation and resulting food shortages aren’t really the problems we have to worry about, at least not worldwide. I can imagine lots of different possible future: wars ending, poverty and hunger decreasing, kindness abounding… or pollution increasing, wars escalating, disasters multiplying…. I can imagine just about anything, but I’ve got no idea what’s really going to happen.

Will there be any more books on the main characters of the Shadow Children series after Among the Free?

No, Among the Free is the last.

Just Ella showed another, less pleasant side of being a princess. Where did your inspiration for Just Ella come from?

My daughter was about two or three years old, and she was fascinated by fairy tales. This meant that I spent a lot of time reading fairy tales to her, and they began to bother me. All that falling in love at first sight, all the emphasis on physical appearance, all those wimpy princesses who did nothing but stand around looking pretty and getting rescued… I kept wanting to tell my daughter, “Honey, if some guy asks you to marry him the first time you meet him, please, please, please wait until you get to know him a little better!” Since my daughter was so young, I couldn’t exactly hit her with the full force of my feminist commentary. So I wrote Just Ella instead.

Which of your characters would you like to spend one day being? Why?

It would largely depend on which day of my characters’ lives I’d get to pick—some of them have faced some pretty rough days!

Actually, this is much too hard to choose. But I do feel as though I’ve spent many, many days “being” my characters, since I really do try to put myself in their place as I’m writing about them.

Did you base any of your characters on people you knew?

Only indirectly. I have certainly pulled characteristics from real people I’ve known, for characters in my books, but it’s sort of like putting together an assortment of different characters from different boxes of Lego—I’ll borrow one person’s impulsiveness, another person’s courage, etc., etc., etc.

What is your favorite genre of books to read?

Fiction. Okay, I realize that that’s an awfully broad category, but I do enjoy a broad range. Give me a good book in any genre and I’m happy!

(Taken from http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=authors.interview&interview_id=92)

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Podnotes

Poppy

Avi

Script         Other Books        Author's Website         About the Author 

Script of Podcast

Poppy was in love with Ragweed.

When he asked he go to the top of Banncock Hill to dance in the moonlight she thought it was sooo romantic. He had asked her to marry him and he wanted to give him the answer.

But Poppy knew that Ragweed did not know the ways of Dimwood forest. 

He did not believe that Mr. Ocax, the great horned owl, who had deemed himself King of Dimwood forest protecting Poppy and all the mice from the porcupine, would harm them. 

 So off to the top of Bannock Hill they went.  Where Poppy came to her senses.  “Come under the log with me so Mr. Ocax can’t see you,” she pleaded with Ragweed. 

 “I’m not going to spend my life asking an old owl’s okay every time I want to have fun” he told her.

 And just at that moment, Ocax left his perch, high in the tree where he had been watching Poppy and Ragweed.  And within seconds he swooped down and grabbed Ragweed with his huge claws and flew away. Ragweed was never seen again.

 Shaking, Poppy made it back to her family.  She was embarrassed but had to tell them what had happened.  But a bigger crisis was at hand.  Poppy’s family was running out of food.  They must leave Dimwood forest.

 Poppy and her father set out to ask Mr. Ocax permission to leave.  From his high perch above, Mr. Ocax’s voice booms “Permission denied”

They return home

Papa I’ll go, I’ll find out if the “New House” has enough food.  Said Poppy.

So Poppy sets off across Dimwood Forest, confronting the porcupine and Mr. Ocax himself.

 Does she make it?

Read Poppy by Avi to find out.

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Other Books by Avi

The Christmas Rat
A Place Called Ugly
Night’s Journey
Don’t You Know There’s A War On
The Fighting Ground
Something Upstairs
Nothing But the Truth
True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Avi’s Website

http://www.avi-writer.com/

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About the Author

WHEN WERE YOU BORN?
1937, in the city of New York. I was raised in Brooklyn.

WHERE DID YOU GET THAT NAME?
My twin sister gave it to me when we were both about a year old. And it stuck.

WHY DON'T YOU TELL YOUR REAL NAME?
The fact is, Avi is the only name I use.

WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A KID?
Shy, not into sports, but someone who loved to read and play games of imagination.

WHAT DID YOU READ?
Picture books, then chapter books, comic books, and I listened to lots of kids' radio.

WERE YOU A GOOD STUDENT?
Not very. In elementary school I did well in science, but I was a poor writer. When I got to high school I failed all my courses. Then my folks put me in a small school which emphasized reading and writing. Even beyond that I needed special tutoring.

THEN WHY DID YOU EVEN WANT TO BECOME A WRITER?
Since writing was important to my family, friends, and school, it was important to me. I wanted to prove that I could write. But it took years before I had a book published.

WHEN DO YOU BECOME A WRITER?
I think you become a writer when you stop writing for yourself or your teachers and start thinking about readers. I made up my mind to do that when a high school senior.

DID YOU WRITE KID'S BOOKS RIGHT FROM THE START?
I began as a playwright. Only when I had kids of my own did I start to write for young people.

DOES YOUR FAMILY HELP YOU WRITE?
They help by supporting my efforts, not by giving me ideas, or suggesting changes.

IS WRITING HARD FOR YOU?
Yes. But then it's hard for every-one to write well. I have to re-write over and over again so that on average it takes me a year to write a book.

ISN'T THAT BORING?
If you do anything all the time it's nice to get away from it now and again. My hobby is photography.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?
Everybody has ideas. The vital question is, what do you do with them? My rock musician sons shape their ideas into music. My sister takes her ideas and fashions them into poems. My brother uses his ideas to help him understand science. I take my ideas and turn them into stories. Now, what do you think you'll do with your ideas?

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK?
The next one.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WRITE?
I believe reading is the key to writing. The more you read, the better your writing can be.

ANYTHING ELSE?
Listen and watch the world around you. Try to understand why things happen. Don't be satisfied with answers others give you. Don't assume that because everyone believes a thing it is right or wrong. Reason things out for yourself. Work to get answers on your own. Understand why you believe things. Finally, write what you honestly feel then learn from the criticism that will always come your way.

Taken from http://www.answers.com/topic/avi-writer

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Podnotes

Skeleton Man

Joseph Bruchac

 Script         Other Books        Author's Website         About the Author

Script of Podcast

Alone.

Molly woke up Sunday morning and knew she was alone.  Her parents had gone out to dinner Saturday night and had never come home. They didn’t call. The police didn’t call. She was alone.

 For three days she waited.  Somehow, either her teacher at school or her father’s boss, who called everyday, notified social services.  It was there that she found out that she had a relative that she knew nothing about.  “A great uncle” social services said.  One look at him gave Molly the creeps, dressed in gray, and thin so thin that his bones seemed to show though and the hat the hat he pulled way down on his head almost covered his eyes. One look sent shivers down her spine.

 But he had pictures. Her father’s high school graduation picture, her parent’s wedding picture, right there in his wallet.

 “We’ve checked him out.  You’ll be going home with him” What else do you do with a girl whose parents are missing and her great uncle have come to claim her.

 Every day she goes to school. Every night, he locks her into the bedroom. Every night she dreams. After eating the food her prepares, she feels sick so she stops eating.  She becomes so weak.  She finally tells her teacher what is happening.

 Social services makes an appointment for a home visit.  Before they arrive, her bedroom door is carefully removed, placed in a closet, replaced with one that does not have a lock.  Before the car is out of the driveway the locked door is put back in place. That night, the sound of lock pierces the silence in her room.

 Alone.

 Molly dreams.  Will the nightmare ever end?

 Read Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac to find out.

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Other Books by Joseph Bruchac

 Whisper in the Dark
Tell Me a Tale
Code Talkers
Arrow over the Door
Pocahontas

…and many, many more

Joseph’s Website

http://www.josephbruchac.com/

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About the Author

Joseph Bruchac shares his extensive knowledge of Native American culture through his books, poetry, storytelling, and music. Some of his ancestors belonged to the Abenaki tribe, whose traditional homelands were in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Bruchac was raised by his grandparents in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. For years his grandfather denied that Bruchac had any Native American heritage because he did not want him to face prejudice. Not until Bruchac was an adult did he uncover the truth and begin to appreciate the rich folklore of his Native American ancestors. He says he likes to share traditional stories because "they have messages, sometimes very subtle, which can help show young people the good paths to follow."

Bruchac has authored or co-authored more than 50 books. One of his most recent is his autobiography, Bowman's Store, to be published this year by The Dial Press. In 1970, Bruchac and his wife founded the Greenfield Review Press, which publishes multicultural literature. Before becoming a writer and publisher, Bruchac taught English in the West African country of Ghana and taught African and African-American literature in New York State.

(Taken from http://www.classzone.com/novelguides/authors/bruchac.cfm)

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