STORIES: New England Childhood, Mid-20^th Century New England, Family Stories, Family Conflict and Understanding, Life and Death Stories, Humor and Darkness in Old New England Families, Conflict and Change, Powerful Women and Girls, Determination and Disappointment, Secrets and Lies, Growing Up As Best You Can.

NOVEL: Early California, Pre-Civil War California, Cultural Diversity and Conflict, Cross-Cultural Understanding, California Indians, California Genocide, Native American Genocide, Violence and Tragedy, Pioneer Settlers and Indians, Cultural Curiosity and Humane Attitudes, Powerful Women, Early Settlers in California, Indian Removal to the Reservation.

AUTHOR: Native of Boston, graduate of Harvard and Stanford, Peace Corps service in Brazil, long-time teacher at Washington International School in DC, mother and grandmother, now living and writing in California.