Margaret Willey published her first young adult novel, The Bigger Book of Lydia, to critical acclaim in 1983. Since then she has become one of the foremost authors of books about teenage issues and problems. Twentieth-Century Young Adult Writers contributor Jan Tyler echoed the praise that has consistently greeted Willey's work: "Hers are distinctly drawn personalities with a range of conflicts: problems with parents; troubles with boyfriends; breeches of loyalty between best friends; school woes; and particularly, always, the struggle to find and to be oneself." Willey is the winner of numerous literary awards, including several honors from the American Library Association.

During an interview with Authors and Artists for Young Adults. (AAYA) Willey talked about her goals as a writer. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she grew up in St. Joseph, Michigan, which was the model for the town of St. Martin's in her early novels. The author is...