Author Description

The Pothole Dwellers: A Journey to Pittsburgh’s Past By: Dr. Jane N. Erin The Pothole Dwellers: A Journey to Pittsburgh’s Past, by Dr. Jane N. Erin, is a fictional work rooted in actual events in the history of Pittsburgh, PA. Anna, the main character, is a ten-year-old girl who encounters mysterious, fluffy creatures that locals call pothole dwellers. She follows them into their holes and unknowingly travels back through time with the creatures as well. The story unfolds through scenes of the past and gradually uncovers the role of the pothole dwellers and their place throughout time. Anna also discovers some long-forgotten family history. While Anna’s curiosity leads her to search for and befriend the dwellers, it also teaches her to trust her own judgment in an uncertain world. It is Dr. Erin’s hope that young readers will gain an understanding of how their own families have changed over many generations, as well as how the efforts of their ancestors have shaped the present for many young people.