TOM BIRDSEYE is the author of nineteen books for young readers, including fiction, picture books and nonfiction. His books have won or been a finalist for state children's choice awards forty-three times and have been recognized by the International Literacy Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, the Oregon Library Association and the Oregon State Literacy Association. Tom is faculty emeritus in the Writing for Children and Young Adults MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. He lives in Corvallis, Oregon.