of novels and stories, Vicky is a nascent poet and writer, the second eldest of four children. She is usually the first person narrator of the books in which she appears. Often at odds with her younger sister, Suzy, she has a mentor and kindred spirit in her maternal grandfather, retired minister Grandfather Eaton. Vicky dates several boys before developing what may be a more lasting relationship with Adam Eddington. John Austin — Vicky's scientifically minded older brother, John, enrolls at M.I.T., and is primarily interested in astrophysics. He also works with Adam Eddington for a summer at the Marine Biology Station on Seven Bay Island. John is intellectually curious and philosophical. Suzy Austin (Davidson) — Generally considered the beauty of the family, Suzy "has wanted to be a doctor ever since she could talk." As a young child she gives up eating pork after reading Charlotte's Web. Suzy is the best friend of Maggy Hamilton when Maggy lives with the Austin family for a time after the death of her father. In later books she shows some jealousy toward Vicky over Vicky's boyfriends and friendship with Emily Gregory. As an adult, Suzy is a cardiologist, married to Josiah "Dave" Davidson. They have four children, Josiah (Jos), John, Emily, and Tory. Rob Austin — The youngest of the Austin children, Robert Austin is curious and loving, with an ability to make friends easily and a penchant for insightful questions. His favorite toy, an elephant with a music box in it, is named Elephant's Child after one of the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling. Madeleine L'Engle acknowledged in A Circle of Quiet, one of the Crosswicks Journals, that Rob is based on her own youngest child, Bion Franklin. Dr. Wallace Austin — Medical doctor. The father of the four Austin children, Dr. Austin is a busy doctor in family practice, working out of his home as well as a regional hospital. In The Young Unicorns he takes a year off from his practice to research medical use of an advanced laser device and to write a book on the subject. Orphaned at an early age, Wally helped to raise his younger brother Douglas, an artist. Victoria Eaton Austin — Retired singer. Vicky's first person narratives plus a few family conversations scattered through the books establish that her mother, the former Victoria Eaton, met Dr. Austin while singing at a military