I am not primarily a children’s book author, but I was commissioned by an educational publisher, Capstone Books, to write a series of six craft books for middle-school girls with remedial reading skills but interest in crafts. The resulting series was immensely successful and praised by librarians and middle-school educators. I also worked for Raintree Publishing editing an educational book series called the History of the World, as well as winners of Raintree’s famous Publish-A-Book national contest for young writers in grades 4, 5 and 6. I worked with youngsters to publish their books in hardcover and coordinated illustration. A wonderful experience! One of my favorite books was Salcott, The Indian Boy who had to prove his maturity and bravery by spearing Bear of No Water in the heart. But, when he finds the bear, he cannot kill it. Ashamed and afraid, Walcott returns to village expecting derision, but his tribe honors him for his compassion, which the chief says is a form of bravery, too. I didn’t know at the time that, someday, I would write a novel about another wise, true-life Indian leader, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, who became legend for his bravery, honor and wisdom.