MAVIS JUKES is a mom, stepmom, teacher, and lawyer and the author of numerous books for children and teens, including the bestselling "It’ s A Girl Thing: How to Stay Healthy, Safe, and in Charge "and "Growing Up: It’ s A Girl Thing, "as well as "I’ ll See You in My Dreams, Blackberries in the Dark, "and the Newbery Honor Book "Like Jake and Me." She lives and works with her husband, artist Robert Hudson, on a ranch in northern California.