Dr. Caroline Crocker’s
Rambling Ruminations
Award-winning Author
Caroline Crocker
I’m an immigrant born to an immigrant and on for generations. That wanderlust rubbed off. My parents are Dutch, but I’ve lived in Canada, Iowa, England, California, Texas and Virginia.
My career has been equally varied. I trained as a scientist: microbiology and immunology and worked in medical research before teaching cell biology, microbiology, etc. I also founded a nonprofit, helped start a technology company, tutored, and worked in communications.
And now? I’m doing what I love. Enjoying my eight grandchildren, gardening, and writing books. Adult books, big kid books, little kid books, and even a book on doing microbiology in your kitchen. Truth that reads like like fiction.
Published Books
Published Articles
Happy Readers (a guess)
My Books
Brave Face
A historical tale about an irrepressible child that will make you laugh and cry, even as it addresses war, discrimination, poverty, and immigration.
Brave Face has received five-star ratings and much attention from the Dutch heritage community.
Unforgivable
The true story of a part-Jewish boy who struggles with a lack of familial comforts, maltreatment, exploitation, bereavement, and probable neurodivergence while living through and in the aftermath of World War II. (The prologue took first place in its category in the coveted 2024 Virginia Writer’s Club Gold Nib Award contest.)
Ireentje
A delightful book with mini-chapters designed to be read aloud, all about one rather mischievous child’s life in a different country and a previous era.
This book is undergoing a HUGE revision to comply with children’s chapter book regulations. Watch this space!
The Clemmy Series
The mostly-true stories of an adorable bulldog who becomes courageous due to the love of her family; learns to communicate with and understand her people; figures out her role in the family; and deals with a new sister–a duckling!
Older Books
Free to Think was my first book–and desperately needs revision. The science is super-cool, the biographical details documented, but yeah.
Growing the Church was co-written by a bishop; the pdf is free for the asking.
Microbiology Experiments to do at Home was written during the pandemic and is perfect for anyone who enjoys being grossed out.
You are never too old to set a new goal
or to dream a new dream.
– CS Lewis
Good writing is about telling the truth.
– Anne Lamott
My Latest!
Unforgivable: Through a Child’s Eyes
A True Story
Little Frits finds his life totally changed when his father becomes seriously ill, the family moves country, and he and his brother are placed in a children’s home. WWII begins, and friends and family are murdered in Auschwitz. Frits struggles against illness, overwhelming sadness and anger. But when he is also deprived of his lifelong dream, he reaches the end of his tether. Should he hold onto anger or can he shake off the fetters of rage, embrace love, and start afresh?
