Avi

Strand number one: I have always enjoyed reading long novels, particularly those written in England during the 19th Century. I always thought it would be fun to write one.

Strand number two: During my many visits to schools, school kids were telling me they were reading many books by Stephen King and others. Long books indeed!

Strand number three: I got to thinking, if my readers are capable of reading long books, and I always wanted to write one, I should. The challenge was--as it always is--to write well enough to make my readers interested.

I don't think I have ever worked so hard on any project. My work days were long, sometimes fourteen hours of writing a day and longer. But in the end, this is a book I am very proud of, a real page turner of a book. At least that's what my young readers are telling me over and over again.