War, patriotism, the Sixties, and more. But for the most part, it's about two Minnesota teenagers, Maud and Jeff, who find each other amid the turmoil of the Vietnam era.

Where did the idea came from?

My first book involves some people who once upon a time lived in a commune. I wanted to write about those people, explain why and how some of them made the decision to live that way. I wanted to write about a period in my own life that was so dramatic. This book is as close to autobiography as I ever want to get. By the way, I often refer to this as my R-rated children’s book. Read it and you’ll know why.

Is this one your favorite?

Yes! Maybe because there's some autobiography? Also, this was the first time I wrote about my hometown—Austin, Minnesota. I enjoyed that. I loved doing all the historical research. And of course, I like Maud and Jeff a lot.

		ALA Best Books for Young Adults
		IRA Young Adults’ Choice
		Wisconsin Library Association Outstanding Achievement
		New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age
		Minnesota Book Award, nominee
		“Bittersweet and intensely moving . . .” Publishers Weekly
		“ . . . fast-paced, well-written, and appealing.” School Library Journal
		“ . . . thoughtful, highly charged Vietnam story . . .” The Bulletin
		“These complex characters are beautifully developed.” Booklist