Grew up on a farm in Iowa, heart of the United States corn belt. Escaped to Australia as a freshly graduated teacher in 1974. Worked as an editor, writer and educator, including six years as an assistant principal. Currently tutoring English through the Ronald McDonald Learning Program (kids with serious illnesses). Sixteen books published for kids and teens, most by Penguin. Some were co-written with my two daughters. Many articles for kids published in educational magazines, plus for adults in newspapers and mags, ranging from The Age to Cosmopolitan. Hubby recently retired, wants to travel around Oz in a caravan, my idea of hell.