Elisa Carbone┬аtaught in the Speech Communications department at the University of Maryland, but now she enjoys being a full-time writer and part-time rock climber, windsurfer, and white-water kayaker. тАЬThe physical exertion of the sports balances out the mental exertion of writing,тАЭ she says. She loves doing the research required to write historical fiction and is fascinated by the small details of everyday life in the past. Ms. CarboneтАЩs Sarah books,┬аStarting School with an Enemy┬аand┬аSarah and the Naked Truth,┬аhave been praised for their accessibility to reluctant readers.