Avi

It's the dark days of World War II and Howie Crispers has one parent in the merchant marines dodging submarines, and another working long hours in a the Navy Yard. His one bright spot is his teacher. Then she's fired. Just why isn't clear, but How wants to save her.

A few years back my stepson Jack was asked-for a school project-to interview someone who remembered life during World War II. He interviewed me. That interview got me thinking about those times, what my life was like, and how we-as kids--learned to deal with the tensions, shortages, struggles to hold life together in those dark days. For better and for worse we did live differently then. I wanted to tell a tale that would be exciting, funny, and yet be honest to that time. And if you look on the back of the book you'll see a picture of me in my fourth grade class. The question is, which one is me?