Blue Creek Farm is the "prequel" to Matty's War, in that it tells the story of Matty's life in Kansas before she moves east and joins the army. With her mother dead and her brother off riding for the Pony Express, Matty must help her father keep the farm running in spite of a drought and the dangers of nightriders. Matty learns to cope with loneliness and the intrusions of war as she becomes a teenager.
Carroll Thomas is the pen name of two writers, Carole Shmurak and Thomas Ratliff.
Carole Shmurak has taught biology and chemistry in middle and high schools, and is currently Professor Emerita of education at Central Connecticut State University. She also writes mysteries for adults under her own name (see Amazon's page for Carole Shmurak for more information about the mysteries.) Tom Ratliff has taught social studies and English in middle and high schools and is currently an instructor of history at CCSU. He also writes serialized historical fiction for the Hartford Courant NIE program and other newspapers. Together, they write as Carroll Thomas and are authors of the young adult series which includes Matty's War, Blue Creek Farm, the Agatha-nominated Ring Out Wild Bells, Riding By Starlight. Town on Rambling Creek and Under the Open Sky. Find out more at their website www.MattyTrescott.com.
