Patricia Cecil HassPatricia Hass is the author of four middle grade books for 8-12 year-olds: KATA, SON OF RED FANG, SWAMPFIRE, WINDSONG SUMMER, and the latest: THE SHOCKOE SLIP GANG: A MYSTERY. She has worked as well in television and film, writing the pilot script fo the PBS series Ranger Rick, also the script for "The Magic Garbage Can," an environmental film for the Boy Scouts of America made by Explorer Scouts in New York City.. In addition, she wrote the National Geographic book, HOW THINGS ARE MADE, and wrote the educational film series "Life Cycles" for schools and libraries. She also wrote and produced the 30 minute film, "Read Your Way Up," for the District of Columbia's Public Library System reading campaign, starring Redskins MVP running back Larry Brown and members of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team, which was picked up by the District's public school system and used in Middle School reading classes. Patricia feels that middle grade is the age when children can understand the value of responsibility and commitment, and of relying on their own brains, courage, and initiative; in other words, learning to think for themselves and act responsibly on that knowledge. She lives in Princeton, NJ where she speaks frequently at middle school and library reading events for children, as well as in many other parts of the country. Read More Read Less