DERRICK BARNES, a former writer for Hallmark Cards, lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with his wife and their "Booker Boys"--Ezra, Solomon, and Silas. Derrick Barnes is the author of several acclaimed books, including the Ruby and the Booker Boys series: BRAND-NEW SCHOOL, BRAVE NEW RUBY; TRIVIA QUEEN, THIRD GRADE SUPREME; THE SLUMBER PARTY PAYBACK; and RUBY FLIPS FOR ATTENTION, published by Scholastic. Barnes's YA novel THE MAKING OF DR. TRUELOVE was an ALA Quick Picks selection, and has been hailed by the New York Public Library as one of the 100 Best Books for the Teen Age. Derrick and his wife, Tinka, reside in Kansas City, MO, with their three sons. Illustrator Vanessa Newton trained at the Fashion School of Technology and the School of Visual Arts. She and her husband live in Newark, New Jersey. Look out, Ro! Ruby's hosting a big pink slumber party! The last time Ruby hosted a slumber party, her big brother Roosevelt pranked and frightened the girls all night. Now it's payback time! With a little ingenuity and a lot of lipstick, Ruby and her crew come up with some hilarious high jinks that are sure to teach Roosevelt a valuable lesson. Bottom line--don't mess with Ruby Booker! The last time Ruby hosted a slumber party, her big brother Roosevelt pranked and frightened the girls all night. Now it? payback time! With a little ingenuity and a lot of lipstick, Ruby and her crew come up with some hilarious high jinks that are sure to teach Roosevelt a valuable lesson. Bottom line?on? mess with Ruby Booker!