Candice Ransom, 1953 - Candice Ransom was born in Virginia in 1953. She grew up in the country and spent most of her time daydreaming, creating stories in her head once she'd read all the books in her school library. Ransom rote her first book at age 7, and since then has gone on to write over 70 books for children. She completed her education at Vermont College, while she was a full time writer and mother. Her books have received many awards, including being named the Hodge POdge Society Best Children's Book; Oick of the LIst; Notable Trade Book in Social Studies;New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Book; New Yor Library Best One HUndred Book;School Librwary Starred Review; IRA/Children's… Choice, ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Readers and a B. Dalton Bestseller. Ransom is also a ghostwriter for the Boxcar Children Mysteries, having written 16 titles for the series. She has started the Promise Quilt Literacy Project, which gives books to the children of the Virginia Appalachians. Instead of donating to individuals or to school libraries, Ransom sends 30 new books to a classroom, choosing a different school each month and giving the teacher the option of keeping the books in the classroom or letting each child take one home.