Patricia Lee Gauch grew up near Detroit and has been a devoted member of the children's literature community all her professional life. She is the author of Thunder at Gettysburg, Dance Tanya, and other books. A former critic for The New York Times, she has taught at colleges, universities, and for many years at the summer Chautauqua Highlights Writers Conference. In 1985, she became editor in chief of Philomel Books, editing major Caldecott- and National Book Award?winning artists.