Growing up in Anderson

I see you grew up in Anderson, Indiana. Delighted to discover that one of your recent protagonists was named “Buck Anderson.” My maiden surname was Buck, and my father and uncle (Danny and Bruce Buck) grew up in Anderson in the 1940s. My Uncle Bruce still lives in Anderson, and I visited my grandparents and cousins there many summers when I was growing up. (Uncle Bruce used to pile all of us kids into the car on a hot summer day and treat us to an ice cream cone at Frazier’s.)

I grew up reading your books — most notably the Witch books in the 1970s, but I also have a picture book about Iran titled “A New Year’s Surprise,” dated 1967 and written by “Phyllis Naylor.” I didn’t realize it had been written by the same author as my favorite “Witch” series until I was in my forties!

Thank you for some truly wonderful books.

Yes, I remember Anderson well.  Both of my parents went to Anderson College.  I credit my Sunday School teacher with starting my writing career, because she published my first short story.