Karen Troncale writes middle-grade books. Currently she teaches fourth grade; previously she has taught kindergarten, first grade, and language arts to middle grade students.  She worked as an agricultural biologist for eight years and often writes about animals and insects.              Her work has appeared in national publications such as Boys’ Life, W.O.W. (Wild Outdoor World), and Highlights for Children. Her story “Mary Ellen Has a Sheep” appeared in the January, 1999 issue of Ladybug magazine and was chosen as the Best of the Children’s Market by the Institute of Children’s Literature. It was reprinted in their book of the same name.  Her picture book manuscript “Rattlesnake Kate and Wildfire” won the First Annual Michael Lacapa Award from the Society of Southwestern Authors in October, 2006.  She holds a Teaching Certificate for K-8 and a Master’s Degree in Education in the field of curriculum and instruction.