Now that Daddy has returned from fighting Hitler and Ann Fay is home from the polio hospital, life should get back to normal. But Ann Fay discovers she no longer fits easily into old friendships and Daddy has been traumatized by the war. Her family and social life are both falling apart. Ever responsible, she tries to fix things until she finally admits that she herself needs fixing. She travels to the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, founded by Franklin D. Roosevelt, where she finds comfort, healing, and even a little romance. Although this invigorating experience does not solve all her problems, it does give Ann Fay a new view of herself. In this sequel to Blue, Ann Fay makes new friends, reevaluates old relationships, and discovers her unique place in the community.
Joyce Moyer Hostetter grew up in rural North Carolina. After a brief struggle with Dick, Jane, and Sally in first grade she became an avid reader. Reading was a great way to find solitude in the midst of life with seven siblings. She also figured out if she wanted to get a word in edgewise she'd have to write it down!
Her middle grade Language Arts teacher told her she'd be a great writer some day so she began working hard to live up to that goal. However,she spent some years raising her two children, running a preschool, and teaching special education before turning to writing as a career.
She is now the author of four historical novels and has several in-progress. Her book BLUE about a North Carolina polio epidemic won the International Reading Association Children's Book Award in addition to other honors. The sequel, Comfort is now available. Healing Water, her book about Hawaii's leprosy settlement, is not nearly as depressing as it sounds!
Joyce has always loved history and she's crazy about research. She loves scrounging up some powerful hidden bit of history and sharing it with the world through compelling fiction. Although her novels are geared toward middle graders, they are widely enjoyed by adults as well.
Joyce speaks at schools, conferences, and conventions about her books and the history behind them. She also speaks about the writing process.
When she is not writing and speaking she's likely to be pulling weeds or planting flowers with the help of her husband and a grandchild or two. Or three. Or five.
