On Wednesday, August 3rd at 12pm PDT Warwick's will host Karen Cushman as she discusses her new book, War and Millie McGonigle, in conversation with Debby Parrish, San Diego History Center board member, and Sonia Teder-Moore, Warwick's children's bookseller. Karen Cushman lives, works, and procrastinates on misty green Vashon Island near Seattle. She has published ten books since she started writing at age fifty, including Catherine, Called Birdy and the Newbery Award winner The Midwife's Apprentice. Ms. Cushman loves the rain and when the weather turns warm and dry, she grumbles and blames the weatherman. She’s crazy , about anything soft and fuzzy and may someday be eaten by a grizzly bear she has tried to embrace. Her husband thinks she is a bit nuts, but he has stayed married to her for 51 years so how bad can she be?

San Diego, 1941: Millie McGonigle lives in sunny California, where her days are filled with beach and surf. It should be perfect - but times are tough. Hitler is attacking Europe and it looks like the United States may be going to war. Food is rationed and money is tight. And Millie's sickly little sister gets all the attention and couldn't be more of a pain if she tried. It's all Millie can do to stay calm and feel in control.

Still - there's sand beneath her feet. A new neighbor from the city, who has a lot to teach Millie. And surfer boy Rocky to admire - even if she doesn't have the guts to talk to him.

It's a time of sunshine, siblings, and stress. Will Millie be able to find her way in her family, and keep her balance as the the world around her loses its own?