I read this book when I was in elementary school, which was about 13 years ago haha. I wanted to remember the title of the book because I wanted to read it again. Here is a brief description, I don't remember much...

The was a family and I believe something had happened to their mother, and the children were writing to this other lady who lived somewhere on the beach, and she had a cat named Seal, and I think they were somehow trying to get her to come to them and be their mother... I really can't remember more than that haha. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Oh there was also another book, I do remember the title it was called Toby... but when I try looking it up I keep finding the wrong one.. this one was about 2 boys that go into an abandoned house... that's all I remember haha. Any help is appreciated! Thanks again!

Call the children's department at your local public library. If someone working there doesn't recognize these storylines, they have reader's advisory books they can check regarding characters, plots, setting, etc.

The first book is Sarah, Plain and Tall
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan Audio Book on Cassette (http://kids.learnoutloud.com/Teens/Literature/Contemporary-Literature/Sarah-Plain-and-Tall/23418)

Thank you so much!!

... and I think I'm wrong about the second book, that may not be the title.. oh well thanks again!

A book written in the 70's about men and women that seem to disappear from one another and go parallel planes of time. The men rape and plunder at first but the women began to take over the power plants and get things working again. When the all reappear they have different feelings about one another.