About the writer of this Enhanced Reading and Teaching Guide:

Robert C. (Bob) Bergstrom retired in June 2002 after teaching over 6000 students, working in secondary Reading, English, and Social Studies for 37 years, most of them at Shaler Area School District in suburban Pittsburgh, PA. He now looks forward to the next new chapter in his life. Bob has a passion for language arts education and issues involving improving literacy. He has served as a Language Arts Consultant, Communication Arts Department Chairperson, Theme Coordinator, Motivational Speaker, Workshop Presenter at state and national conferences, as well as a classroom teacher of children and adults.

Last year, Bob was named the 2001 Teacher Excellence Foundation "Teacher of the Year," representing teachers from thirty-nine school districts in the greater Pittsburgh area and all of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Bob and his wife, Leah, have two natural children, have taken in 15 foster children over the years, have adopted four children, and now have a grandchild with more on the way. Bob is active in community activities, issues involving special needs children, and in his church where, among other things, he teaches a large adult Sunday School class. He and his wife love to travel and read and spend time with their large family.

About the author:

Joan Bauer, critically acclaimed author of Newbery Honor and Christopher Award winner, Hope Was Here, has written seven novels and many short stories.

Joan Bauer's other books include: Sticks, Rules of the Road (winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Golden Kite Award, and also designated as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Notable Book, an ALA Quick Pick, and an American Bookseller Pick of the List), Backwater (a Smithsonian Best Book), Squashed (winner of the Delacorte Press Prize for First Young Adult Novel) and Thwonk (an ALA Best Book for Young Adults). Stand Tall, her newest novel, released in August 2002, has been called "an eloquent story of ordinary heroes" by Kirkus Reviews. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York.

Hope Was Here has been selected for "One Book, One City" programs in Saginaw, Michigan and Tampa, Florida.