Currently residing in Metro Detroit, author Jill Dudek was inspired to create For the Love of Dirt after settling a few misunderstandings between her daughter and son when they were in grade school. To explain to her daughter why her brother didn't play with his toys as gently as she did with hers, Dudek made up a story about another girl with a similar problem. That story evolved into For the Love of Dirt. Dudek is a regular contributor on Patch.com
