Brilliant, fearless, and ambitious Julia Morgan dares to aspire to a male-dominated profession as a girl growing up in Oakland, California-but first, she must break free from the tight grip of Victorian expectations that threaten her dreams. “Austin imagines Julia Morgan’s life with authority.  She makes an important historical figure accessible to us.  Drawing Outside the Lines makes us see and feel what Morgan was up against, which makes her spectacular work all the more impressive.” 

—Joan Schoettler, author of Ruth Asawa: A Sculpting Life 

 “A compelling story with a wealth of evocative details offers a memorable telling. Woven into the story are Julia Morgan's ability, persistence, and ambition...an inspiration for any reader.” 

—Margit E. McGuire, A Past President of the National Council for the Social Studies and Professor of Education, Seattle University 

 “Drawing Outside the Lines opens a window into another time and place . . . a window into the remarkable life of Julia Morgan who challenged gender discrimination to follow her dream of becoming an architect. The added bonus is the rich historical backdrop carefully researched and presented through the imagined story of Morgan’s early life. Readers will find mirrors in Julia’s story as she describes wanting something different—something that doesn’t fit the norms of the time and place. This wonderful story encourages us to take a stand and follow our dreams—it is indeed a story for our time—one of inspiration and perseverance. A must read!” 

 —Sarah Gill, author of Julia Morgan’s Berkeley City Club