A prolific author, Patricia Reilly Giff specializes in writing humorous books for middle-grade readers. In both her novels and her multi-book series, Giff explores situations that are readily familiar to young people: putting on a class play, having a pet, and getting along with family and friends. Giff's background as a teacher and reading consultant has given her a unique perspective on her readers. Although she did not begin writing until her early forties, Giff always had a clear idea of her objectives. She once commented, "I had worked with so many children who had terrible problems that I wanted to say things that would make them laugh. I wanted to tell them they were special. . . . I wish I had started sooner."

Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1935, Giff recalled her childhood as an adventure in reading. As she once commented, "While the rest of the kids were...