A prolific and adept author of young adult books, Caroline B. Cooney's early career goal was to be a nurse because she loved reading the "Cherry Ames Student Nurse" series. However, she abandoned this course of study within one year.

She began and came to love writing while in college. She is an accomplished organist and choir director, and in Driver's Ed, she presents the celebration of Christmas within the church and its subsequent impact upon the characters with compelling authenticity.

The plotlines of Cooney's works involve romance, mystery, and adventure in varying degrees of intensity; however, she also addresses issues in contemporary, urban America relevant to young adults. In Driver's Ed, the issue is the vandalism of street signs. The novel received ALA Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults, and a Booklist Editors' Choice in the year of...