Those Gypsies on Rio Hondo Parkway

In the early 1950s a family moves across town to a neighborhood of green lawns, white picket fences, and modest homes-North El Monte CA. The kids excitedly explore their new property on Rio Hondo Parkway, a huge corner lot that hosts dozens of walnut trees, a rambling assortment of wildflowers, native plants, and weeds. They've got it all . . . except for a house.

Everyone is antsy about the threat of a union strike, money problems, and other unforeseen misfortune, any of which, if realized, could delay or shut down the construction of the of the house.

Against this backdrop, Paul Kemble, Christopher's older hardheaded, perfectionist brother, struggles against the neighborhood bully-Verlin Smoot. From his office, an old outhouse-a throwaway from a neighbor-Paul researches his basic psychology book, looking to track down an out-of-sort personality such as Smoot's that will lead him to some clues in putting a stop to this relentless thug.

Those Gypsies on Rio Hondo Parkway is middle grade fiction replete with wonderful characters, a warm heart, quick and limber humor, and a story the author "lived" as a child for three years-the inspiration for the work.