About the Author

Jeryl Schoenbeck wrote his first book when he was 9, sending off a series of drawings and a story idea to Charles Schultz, the creator of Peanuts. Schultz personally wrote back and, although he had to reject the idea, encouraged the young author to keep writing. After earning his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Jeryl worked in newspapers for a while and then went back to college to get his teaching degree, later earning his Master's Degree in education. As a middle school teacher of ancient civilizations, reading, and writing, he wanted his students to read a historical fiction book geared toward children about a real person from ancient Greece. He believed ancient civilizations could be more exciting than the text books make it sound. There were not many choices of books, so he took Schultz's advice and wrote his own. He lives with his wife Linda, also a teacher, in Wisconsin.