David A. Adler
author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers

In 1789, when George Washington took the oath of office as the first president of the United Staes, he placed his hand on an open Bible. What page was it open to? Why did he choose that page? What did this mean for the new nation? To find out read Adler's GEORGE WASHINGTON, new for fall 2004.

The is a coming-of-age story set in the 1940s. The story begins in May 1940, when Europe was at war and here there was talk about our country's role in the fighting. Thirteen year old Tommy Duncan is not much interested in that talk. He's more interested in the Brooklyn Dodgers, his team, popular radio programs, and his friend Beth. But problems at home refocus Tommy. While David worked on this book he had the day's newspaper--the 1940 newspaper--sitting on his desk. The radio programs, newspaper headlines, and baseball games, are accurate. While writing the book, he felt it was 1940! One night, he came to dinner and asked his wife why there was snow outside. It's May! Renee replied, it might be May for you, but for everyone else it's February.

Book Talk: GEORGE WASHINGTON: AN ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY

This is the very first Cam Jansen Mystery. Now here's the story behind the book: The idea to write a book about a girl with a photographic memory who solves mysteries came to me from a classmate of mine, a boy, in elementary school who was said to have such a memory. In fact, the first few drafts were not about a girl, but a boy with such a great memory and his nickname was not "Cam," short for the "The Camera," but the name of a famous camera company. The company denied me permission to use its name, so the nickname "Cam" was invented. (That's too bad for the company. Millions of Cam Jansens are already in print all over the world!) My editor asked me to change Cam from a boy to a girl and I readily agreed. -- The first mystery, CAM JANSEN AND THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN DIAMONDS -- was inspired by experiences I had while caring for my infant son Michael. It wasn't easy taking him for a walk. I needed to take so much along and that brought me to the clue and the great idea that became my very first Cam. THANK YOU, MICHAEL!

I met Jeffrey Bones while speaking to an audience of more that two hundred elementary school students. I don’t know what triggered my imagination, but I do remember taking an index card from my pocket and while I continued my talk writing a note to myself about this character who says confidently, “Everyone needs Bones.” Jeffrey Bones is that confident, clever part in each of us. He’s fun and I love writing about him. This mystery, is based on something that happened in my house, to me. I don’t want to tell you what that was because that will give away the mystery, but as with all Bones mysteries, the clues are all there for the readers and for Jeffrey Bones. Readers, have fun trying to solve it before Jeffrey does, and have fun reading.

THE BABE AND I
won the 2003 California YOUNG READER MEDAL for its Meritorious contribution to Literature for Young People.
The BABE AND I has also been awarded:
The Bluegrass Award
an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award
is a Golden Kite Honor Book

Gertrude Ederle died in November 2003 at the age of 98. AMERICA'S CHAMPION SWIMMER, GERTRUDE EDERLE is the only book length biography of this American heroine. In 1926 her successful swim of the English Channel empowered women.