Carol Beach York: Nothing Ever Happens Here

Nothing Ever Happens Here by Carol Beach York was published in August 1975 by Signet. It's the story of fourteen year old Elizabeth and her concern that her summer would be dull since all of her friends were traveling.

Allan Kass captures the teen's boredom as she swings on a wicker bench with her kitten nearby. It looks like a nice house and yard even though we don't see more than the porch. I like the shaft of sunlight on the edge of the porch and the plant blooming on the table nearby. Also note the pattern on the wicker--what detail!

Next we will list a few books that I have found since I began the blog alphabetically and then list some short stories that Kass illustrated.

Phyllis Anderson Wood: Your Bird is Here, Tom Thompson

Your Bird is Here, Tom Thompson was published in February 1976 by Signet for young adult author Phyllis Anderson Wood. She writes a story about the titled Tom who is sent to a different school because he cuts class and the friends that he meets there who help him realize that he's not such a mess after all!

This is such a joyous cover by Allan Kass! I love the beach setting and the look of joy on the faces of the teens as they let the seagull go. I like the hilly dune that they stand upon and the sky is perfect. Kass gets teens and it's evident in these past covers.

Phyllis Anderson Wood: I Think This Is Where We Came In

I Think This Is Where We Came In by Phyllis Anderson Wood was published by Signet in November 1977 for its young adult line. Paul, his sister Maggie, and Mike, decide to camp after school ends and their trip turns into an adventure with an abandoned dog and a hunt for a lost child.

I think this is a great cover by Allan Kass because we see the kids setting up camp but if you look closer, you can see that Mike is watching Maggie in a protective and loving way. My copy isn't pristine but if you click on the photo, you can see it enlarged.

Phyllis Anderson Wood: Song of the Shaggy Canary

Song of the Shaggy Canary by Phyllis Anderson Wood was published by Signet in May 1976. It's the story of Sandy, a young mother who is raising her son on her own, and John, a young vet with his own issues. Two people who become friends in a relationship that may possibly become more.

Allan Kass illustrates a tender moment here between our two young lovers and uses the cage as a metaphor for the troubles in their lives. It's a sweet picture and more importantly, hopeful.

Phyllis Anderson Wood: I've Missed a Sunset or Three

I've Missed a Sunset or Three was published by Signet in March 1975. It's the story of Jim and Rachel, their problems, and how this friendship began to solve them.

I think that this is such a pretty cover by Allan Kass. I love the sylvan setting which feels as if you can hear the water running over the rocks and the bees buzzing! Our teen couple are young and vibrant as only Kass can create. It's a poignant moment, but honest and beautiful.

Phyllis Anderson Wood: A Five-Color Buick and a Blue-Eyed Cat

As we head into the last of our Allan Kass illustrated books, we get to review young adult stories by Phyllis Anderson Wood. Published in July 1977, this is the story of Randy and Fred and the summer business they create of transporting animals.

Allan Kass creates a colorful illustration for this book with shows our teens, a few animals, and the brightly colored car! It must have been a fun change to illustrate a modern day cover and Allan gets it right with the styles, hair, and vehicles of the 1970's! I hope you enjoy this and the next few blog posts.

Phyllis A. Whitney: Willow Hill

Our last book by Phyllis A. Whitney is Willow Hill. Published in April 1975 by Signet, This is a story about kids whose high school becomes integrated and how they and their parents react to the new racial tension. Val was a senior and the editor of the school paper, so she had a front row seat to the events of her school and how her friends react.

Allan Kass gives us a typical cover of high school teens. Our heroine clearly has a choice between the two guys behind her. Note the detail and the African American boy in the background. It's a great cover and story.

Phyllis A. Whitney: Secret of the Tiger's Eye

Secret of the Tiger's Eye was published by Signet in October 1978. Phyllis A. Whitney pens a story about a cave in the garden of Benita's Aunt's home in Cape Town, South Africa. It is rumored to be the den of a ghostly tiger. Two boys make fun of Benita's imagination after she sees the ghostly tiger, but they all band together to figure out the mystery.

Allan Kass shows our teens entering the cave which is sufficiently mysterious to see! Our heroine carries a lit candle while an older teen watches from behind. We see a spooky mansion outside in the moonlight. I like the heroine's overalls and cute bob haircut.

Phyllis A. Whitney: Secret of the Stone Face

May 1978 is the Signet publication date for Secret of the Stone Face by Phyllis A. Whitney. Joanna Baird is wondering who carved the angry face in the rock wall of the hotel maze? She was worried that her mother's fiance, the hotel's manager, might be mixed up in this mystery.

Allan Kass shows our teens as they watch someone climb the rock wall. We see the hotel in the background and a beautiful view beyond. My copy, unfortunately, has a tear over the water but it doesn't take away from the beauty of Allan's work.

Phyllis A. Whitney: Secret of the Spotted Shell

Secret of the Spotted Shell was published by Signet in September 1974 for Phyllis A. Whitney, prolific author of mysteries. Wendy was visiting her cousins in St. Thomas when she got caught up in an island wide mystery about the spotted shell which contains a clue that Wendy is determined to find!

We get a glimpse of the Caribbean in this cover by Allan Kass. Our heroine spies on a pirate while she leans against a brightly blue house! I like the iron decoration and the houseplant details.

Phyllis A. Whitney: Secret of the Samurai Sword

Phyllis A. Whitney's Secret of the Samurai Sword was published in October 1974 and is the story of Celia and Stephen who are spending the summer in Kyoto with their grandmother. When they find a ghost haunting their garden they wonder if it is a hoax since it has upset their neighbor so much?

This cover by Allan Kass has an oriental flavor as we see our teens spying on the samurai warrior with the figure, the statue, and our heroine's outfit! Allan's children are always great to see because he has the ability to make them age appropriate in both face, expression, and size. I hope you enjoy these covers.

Phyllis A. Whitney: Secret of the Missing Footprint

December 1974 is Signet's publication date for Phyllis A.Whitney's Secret of the Missing Footprint. This is a story about Marcie who had to stay the summer with her aunt and uncle while her parents vacationed in Europe! She meets Timothy and he shows her the old quarries nearby. Soon some of her uncle's prehistoric rocks are stolen and they decide to find out who is taking them and why.

Allan Kass does a great job illustrating teens. I'm surprised that he didn't get more jobs after seeing all of these covers. I like this book with the kids sleuthing at the cave and the menacing house sitting behind them. Note that he signs this book with his initials.

Phyllis A. Whitney: Secret of the Haunted Mesa

Secret of the Haunted Mesa was published by Signet in December 1977. Author Phyllis A Whitney sets a story at a ranch in Arizona where Jenny and her friend Greg find an Indian boy who is stealing carvings and things from the ranch. When they inquire further, they find a mystery that is surrounded in the old Indian ruins nearby!

Allan Kass creates a scary cover for this photo with the menacing figure behind the teens who are out late at night sleuthing. I like the use of turquoise and the 70's feel of the clothing.

Phyllis A. Whitney: Secret of Goblin Glen

Secret of Goblin Glen by Phyllis A. Whitney was published by Signet in November 1974. Camberhill's one claim to fame was the unsolved bank robbery! Several generations tried to find the hidden money with the treasure map but all had failed. Trina was visiting and wanted to find the treasure to clear the name of an ancestor who was implicated in the crime.

Allan Kass illustrates two teens digging for the treasure in an eerie spot. I like the action pose of the cover and the expressions on the their faces as they check to see if someone is coming. There is an urgency that Kass gets across to the reader that they need to find the treasure and quickly!

Phyllis A. Whitney: Secret of the Emerald Star

Secret of the Emerald Star was published by Signet for prolific author Phyllis A. Whitney in February 1979. Robin Ward meets a blind girl named Stella who lives with her very odd grandmother and a mysterious lodger. Stella wants the lodger out but can't figure out his seemingly hold over her grandmother and asks for Robin's help!

Allan Kass shows our young couple watching a dancing lady on the lawn of a dark mansion. I like the Victorian mansion and the feeling of space as you see the grounds. Our couple are dressed warmly for evening sleuthing with jackets and jeans. It's cute that they're holding hands because that seems to give evidence that they care for each other. I also like the gleaming green glow that Allan uses on this cover which echoes the title!

Phyllis A. Whitney: Mystery of the Strange Traveler

Mystery of the Strange Traveler was published in May 1974 by Signet for famous gothic author Phyllis A. Whitney. Laurie and her sister Celia were visiting their Aunt Serena on Staten Island and were intrigued by the gloomy house next door. They wondered why Norman, the boy who lived there, was unfriendly and were trying to figure out a way to get inside the house!

Allan Kass illustrates our kids from the back as they sit in a tree and watch the house for clues. I like that he felt secure enough to only give us a profile of the girl and none of the boy! The house has some grand Victorian details. It's a great, imaginative cover that I hope you enjoy!

Phyllis A. Whitney: Mystery of the Scowling Boy

The Mystery of the Scowling Boy was published in February 1975 by Signet. Phyllis A. Whitney writes a story about Jan and her brother Mike who visit the Poconos over Christmas and are determined to meet their favorite movie star when they realize she is visiting also. However a mystery is swirling around her and her son who are determined to keep their distance.

Allan Kass was an avid skier, so he must have enjoyed illustrating this cover! We see the siblings on skis as they look down at a mansion with a mysterious person walking away from it. I like the snow covered tree next to them and their chunky coats and hats. Great cover!

Phyllis A. Whitney: Mystery on the Isle of Skye

Phyllis A. Whitney wrote Mystery on the Isle of Skye in May 1974 and it's the story of Cathy MacLeod who is given a letter from her grandmother as she leaves to visit cousins on the Isle and finds it full of mystery and adventure. Can she and her cousin, Don, find out the mystery and solve it?

Allan Kass shows our young people near a mysterious castle and ripe for adventure. I like all of the purple shades and the relatively few details of this cover. As always, Allan's people illustrations are correct and to scale.

Phyllis A. Whitney: Mystery of the Hidden Hand

January 1980 was the Signet publication of Mystery of the Hidden Hand by Phyllis A. Whitney. Gale and her brother Warren were visiting their uncle in Greece and got caught up in a mystery about their family and a secret that threatened to destroy them!

Allan Kass shows our two siblings near some Grecian ruins and digging for clues. They look as if they've been startled by someone or excited at their find.  I like that the children look enough alike to be siblings and are dressed casually. It's a neat cover and I like Allan's detail with the ruins.

Phyllis A. Whitney: The Mystery of the Gulls

May 1974 is the Signet publication of Phyllis A. Whitney's young adult mystery entitled The Mystery of the Gulls. Taffy Saunders was new to Mackinac Island where her mother has inherited a hotel! Sunset House is scaring guests and her mother has to manage it for the summer in order to claim ownership! Can Taffy figure out what's happening?

Allan Kass illustrates our young couple near the lake where the hero is protective of the heroine as they search for clues on a stormy day. I like their large collars and sweaters which seem very 1970's. Otherwise, both are just too cute for words. It's neat, too, seeing Allan's illustrations of teenagers. Enjoy!