• Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mt. HOLYOKE College in 1975.

• Master degree from University of Iowa Writers' Workshop

• Worked with the New Yorker Magazine, and Wigwag.

• Founding Editor of American Girl

Published Books:
– A Smart Girl's Guide to Money (revised, A Smart Girl's Guide: Money)
– A Smart Girl's Guide to Sticky Situations
– A Smart Girl's Guide to Manners (revised, A Smart Girl's Guide: Manners)
– A Smart Girl's Guide to Boys
– A Smart Girl's Guide to Her Parents' Divorce
– A Smart Girl's Guide: Drama, Rumors & Secrets
– A Smart Girl's Guide: Worry
– Help! An Absolutely Indispensable Guide to Life for Girls
– More Help!: Absolutely Indispensable Guide to Life for Girls
– Help!: A Girl's Guide to Divorce and Step-Families
– The Big Book of Help!: Both of the Absolutely Indispensable Guides to Life for Girls
– Oops! The Manners Guide for Girls
– Be Your Best! A Girl's Guide to Manners for Special Days