Born and raised in England, Amanda Spottiswoode was taught to sail as a child by the Royal Navy on the River Thames. After immigrating to Canada and ultimately settling on Salt Spring Island, she realized her childhood dream of exploring a rugged coastline by boat. Her yearly voyages on the thirty-four-foot wooden sloop South Islander were the inspiration for her first children's book, Brother XII's Treasure. Its sequel, The Silver Lining, was inspired by her lifelong love of horses and keen interest in ranching history. Amanda lives on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.
