The Ghost of Lost Island
(Holiday House. ISBN0-8234-0874-4)
Jacket art: Trina Schart Hyman

"Beware the dairymaid," Gabriel's uncle warns, as Gabe and his bossy older sister, Ginny, set off for their grandfather's island in Maine. Then Gabe encounters a mysterious older woman who may be the island's famous ghost—or is she? Gabe must overcome his fear and forge a bond with his prickly sister in order to learn the truth.

Missouri's Mark Twain Award master list and Oklahoma Sequoyah Award master list, 1993. Colorado State Book Award list, 1995.

"The children's exploits in the boat provide plenty of excitement, as do their explorations of the island…mystery fans should find this story entertaining." —School Library Journal

What inspired you to write this story?

Many years ago, I visited an island off the Maine coast, where my friends Pete and Marty kept a flock of sheep. We stayed in a tiny cabin just like the one in the story, with no running water or electricity. At night, while a spooky foghorn hooted offshore and the kerosene lamp cast flickering shadows on the wall, Pete told a story about the ghost who haunted the island. The next day, my son Ethan and I found a grapevine house like the one in the story. "This would make a spooky setting for a mystery story," Ethan said. I agreed, and wrote a novel set on the island a few years later.

FAQ: Did you ever have a border collie like MacDuff?

No, but my friend Pete did. His dog, Rudder, could make the sheep go wherever Pete wanted to send them. I did keep a small flock of sheep in Vermont for a while, and often wished I had a border collie, because sheep spook so easily that it's hard to catch them!

Out of print, but check your library, or look for new or used books on Amazon.com

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Dancing on the Table
(Minstrel Books. ISBN0-671-73829-1)
Drawings by Ronald Himler

When Jenny discovers her beloved Nana is going to marry the "Gray Man," she decides to wish on her lucky rabbit's foot in order to ruin the wedding. A hurricane nearly spoils the ceremony and makes it seem as if her wishes are coming true—or are they? An unexpected accident allows Jenny to discover there's room in Nana's heart for Jenny and the Gray Man, too.

"The book's fast pacing will propel readers through the story, which…is bolstered by strong characterizations, especially that of Nana, a grandmother who is young at heart." —Booklist

"In the gripping conclusion Rosie unexpectedly and courageously puts her talent to use, finally earning her family's respect... [Ketchum's] depiction of this boisterous, peculiar brood will captivate readers... Rosie's character is imbued with particular spirit and insight." --Publisher's Weekly

What inspired you to write this story?

When I was four years old my grandmother, Weezie, was remarried in the middle of a hurricane. She left for her honeymoon while the storm knocked over the pine tree in our front yard, tossed slate tiles off the roof, and blew our barn doors down the road. All my relatives camped on our living room floor. We sang songs and told stories by candlelight, to drown out the howling wind. Years later, my cousin Jonny said, "You ought to write a story about that night." Great idea! My grandmother had died recently, so writing the book allowed me to bring her alive again.

FAQ: Do you base your characters on people you know?

Yes and no. Most of my characters are invented but some, like Nana, have characteristics taken from real people. For example, my real grandmother also loved parties—and sometimes danced on the table! But she didn't have a white stripe in her hair, or live in Maine. Creating a character is like mixing a tossed salad. I take a little bit of this person, a little bit of that one, and add personality traits I invent, until a real character jumps off the page. Some characters have qualities that remind me of myself—but I often don't realize it until the book is done.

Out of print, but check your library, or look for new or used books on Amazon.com

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Allergic to My Family
(out of print, but hardcover available from backinprint.com)
ISBN 0-8234-0950-7

Rosie Maxwell is allergic to her crazy California family. Silas can't talk, yet somehow his twin sister, Katie, always knows what he's thinking. Dan keeps his nose buried in a book, Shirley lives on the phone, and baby Clara cries all the time. When Rosie tries to fix things, life gets even more complicated. But then a brush fire threatens the Maxwell's home, and Rosie's determination and gymnastics save the day.

"Warm-hearted story about an uproarious family with six children. Welcome, Maxwells! Come back soon!" —Kirkus pointer review

What inspired you to write this story?

When I lived in California, I met a big family who left one of their children at the beach by mistake. I also witnessed a canyon fire like the one in the story. Years later, I wrote a picture book about a child who was forgotten at the beach. My editor said, "This isn't a picture book—it's a novel!" I started to hear Rosie's voice in my head, and pretty soon I was writing the scenes that became her story.

FAQ: Did you come from a big family, too?

No, but I lived for many years in a New York suburb surrounded by big families. It always seemed as if they had more fun than I did! Many of the scenes in the book are inspired by memories of my own childhood, by stories I've heard from other parents, and by the antics of my five nieces and nephews.