But Shanny sticks it out, trying to do right and make amends when necessary, and along the way keeps a careful record of what she’s learning. And then there’s the beautiful and perfect Twyla, who clings to Thor, unobtrusively but nicely driving off all competition. And then she has to worry about Aunt Aunt Adabelle, who talks to dead Uncle Vic sometimes. Though some people look at her funny, most people in Wolf Creek seem willing to like and accept Shanny-until she puts her foot in her mouth. She also befriends Bucky, Thor’s little brother, who is devoted to Shanny and Aunt Aunt Adabelle’s old bronco, Blastoff. Dazed by Thor’s looks and charm, Shanny becomes involved with Wolf Creek’s Pioneer Days road show project, a one night musical program. Thor has Sex Appeal, and lots of it, and he’s a sweetheart to boot. And Shanny is fine with that, sure that the local yokels have nothing to offer. As her mother puts it, Shanny is “finding herself,” which means she looks nothing like her peers in Wolf Creek, Idaho, from her purple-dyed rat tail haircut to her go-go boots. Southern California Council on Children's Literature Award for notable work of fiction, 1992, for Blue Skye Best Books for the Teen Age, New York Public Library, 2003, for Lake of Secrets.Synopsis & Review: Fifteen-year-old Shanny has been sent to stay in rural Idaho with her great-aunt Adabelle for six weeks of her summer, ostensibly to help Aunt Adabelle prepare for her move off her ranch and into a nursing home, but also to keep Shanny out of trouble after the Great Dog Food Caper. Taught writing classes in writers' programs at Pasadena City College and University of California-Los Angeles, 1978-88. Gates Rubber Co., Denver, CO, secretary, 1952-54 Life Insurance Association of America, New York, NY, secretary, 1954-60 worked as a medical secretary for a physician in New York, NY, 1960-63 writer, 1963. Agent: Jack Byrne, 3209 South Fifty-fifth St., Milwaukee, WI 53219-4433.

Memberships: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Council on Children's Literature. Religion: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Education: Utah State University, B.S., 1952 graduate study at City College (now City University of New York), 1955-59, and University of California-Los Angeles, 1968. Littke (a college professor), Jchildren: Lori S. Daughter of Frank George and Ada Geneva (Petersen) Jensen married George C.

Where the Creeks Meet by Lael Littke