The True-Life Adventures of Genie and Janny: An American Original and His Faithful Corporal at Arms

"Hit the dirt, soldier " shouted the Captain. "Yes, Sir," I answered smartly, dropping knees to belly, crawling on all fours as fast as I could . . . . Genie and Janny Hall are brother and sister living in a children's fantasy version of World War II. While protecting their grandparents' rural Indiana farm from the Nazis, the pair battle a fierce enemy in the form of Big Red, the rooster. Molly, the horse, aides in a daring escape from the hayloft when German soldiers threaten the farm. Second Lieutenant Miss Lucy, the duck, is a faithful soldier and spy that gives her all to the cause. And a cow named Reddy teaches the children what it means to be a true soldier. Even the Grandparents are part of the military corps, even though they don't know it. Grandma is a loving teacher of life lessons, and Grandpa is a kind, gentle man who knows nothing about farming . . .but a lot about making trades. During the 1940 war years, Genie and Janny walk the golden cornfields of Indiana to learn lessons that will endure a lifetime-lessons about sacrifice, devotion, and above all, unconditional love for one another.

Dear Reader, A strange thing happens as you age, your soul tends to age quickly but your heart remains the age you, yourself choose it to be. Losing people we love ages us, remembering them keeps us young and willing to love again. At about age 5, I learned to print my name, and I began to write stories to my imaginary friends. I have always put words onto paper. I am a voracious reader and have read poetry every day of my life, keeping the promise made to my beloved Grandmother. I am self-taught and publishing my writings was never in my view a commercial endeavor. I read my work to people I loved and to my children. After the writing of this book, my brother, Genie, told me in no uncertain terms, ＂Janny, you are an author! You’ve got to publish.＂ And he made me promise. Sadly, he died on the very day the work was finished, but I lovingly dedicate this work to him. Until we meet again . . . . Always, Janny