A career as a children's book writer came relatively late in life for Charles Ferry. After working as a journalist and in related fields for several years, Ferry began writing his first book for young readers after he had reached his forties. Prompted by recollections of his own wide-ranging life experiences--from happy childhood vacations in the northern United States to tragic adult years during which his life was controlled by a growing dependence on alcohol--Ferry published the first of several novels that would vividly recreate young peoples' movement toward adulthood. While his early novels take place during the years surrounding World War II, his later fiction deals with contemporary--and controversial--topics, including alcoholism. "I have no interest in writing for adults," Ferry once commented. "In general, I think the best writing is being done in the children's field. Authors have the freedom to give of themselves and to dream...