The Kid in the Red Jacket

Howard Jeeter has moved across the country and his only friend is an annoying six-year-old girl. Of course, when you're really lonely, you'll be friends with anyonealmost.

Barbara Park is one of  today's funniest and best-loved writers for middle graders.  Her novels, which include Dear God, HELP!!! Love Earl; Skinnybones; The Kid in the Red Jacket; and Mick Harte Was Herehave won numerous children's book awards.  Barbara thinks that the wonderful thing about writing humor is that she is able to deal with serious issues in a more lighthearted way.  Barbara's fans always want to know whether or not her characters are based on her own children (she has two sons) -- in fact, they are not.  But having her sons has made it easier for her to know how kids talk and think.  What matters most to Barbara is that her books are bringing a few smiles to her readers.<br><br> Barbara lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona, with her husband, Richard. S