ERIC ED434064: Biography Today: Profiles of People of Interest to Young Readers. Author Series, Volume 5.

199 Pages·1999·6.5 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 434 064
SO 031 051
AUTHOR
Harris, Laurie Lanzen, Ed.; Abbey, Cherie D., Ed.
TITLE
Biography Today: Author Series. Profiles of People of
Interest to Young Readers. Volume 5, 1999.
ISBN
ISBN-0-7808-0372-8
PUB DATE
1999-00-00
NOTE
194p.
AVAILABLE FROM
Omnigraphics, Inc., 2500 Penobscot Building, Detroit, MI
48226; Tel: [phone] (Toll Free).
PUB TYPE
Books (010)
EDRS PRICE
MF01/PC08 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
*Adolescent Literature; *Authors; Biographies; Childrens
Literature; Elementary Secondary Education; Language Arts;
*Popular Culture; Profiles; Reading Interests; Recreational
Reading; Social Studies; Student Interests; *Supplementary
Reading Materials
IDENTIFIERS
*Biodata; *Illustrators; Writing for Children
ABSTRACT
As with the regular issues of "Biography Today," this
special subject volume on "Authors" was created to appeal to young readers in
a format they can enjoy reading and readily understand. Each volume contains
alphabetically-arranged sketches. Each entry in the volume provides at least
one picture of the individual profiled, and bold-faced rubrics lead readers
to information on birth, youth, early memories, education, hobbies, and
honors and awards. Each entry ends with a list of easily accessible sources
designed to lead the student to further reading on the individual and a
current address. Obituary entries are also included and clearly marked in
both the table of contents and at the beginning of the entry. Ten authors are
profiled in this volume:
(1) Sharon Creech;
(2) Michael Crichton;
(3) Karen
Cushman;
(4) Tomie dePaola;
(5) Lorraine Hansberry;
(6) Karen Hesse;
(7)
Brian Jacques;
(8) Gary Soto;
(9) Richard Wright; and (10) Laurence Yep. A
series of general, places of birth, and birthday indexes is included.
(BT)
********************************************************************************
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
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I
Biography
Profiles
of People
of Interest
Today
to Young
Readers
Author Series
Volume 5
1999
Laurie Lanzen Harris
Executive Editor
Cherie D. Abbey
Associate Editor
annrarkics,
gno.
Penobscot Building
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Laurie Lanzen Harris, Executive Editor
Cherie D. Abbey, Associate Editor
Kevin Hillstrom, Laurie Hillstrom, and Sue Ellen Thompson, Sketch Writers
Joan Margeson and Barry Puckett, Research Associates
Omnigraphics, Inc.
* * *
Peter E. Ruffner, Senior Vice President
Matthew P. Barbour, Vice President
Operations
Laurie Lanzen Harris, Vice President
Editorial
Thomas J. Murphy, Vice President
Finance
Jane J. Steele, Research Consultant
* * *
Frederick G. Ruffner, Jr., Publisher
Copyright
1999 Omnigraphics, Inc.
ISBN 0-7808-0372-8
The information in this publication was compiled from the sources cited and
from other sources considered reliable. While every possible effort has been
made to ensure reliability, the publisher will not assume liability for damages
caused by inaccuracies in the data, and makes no warranty, express or im-
plied, on the accuracy of the information contained herein.
This book is printed on acid-free paper meeting the ANSI Z39.48 Standard.
The infinity symbol that appears above indicates that the paper in this book
meets that standard.
Printed in the United States
Contents
Preface
5
Sharon Creech 1945-
9
American Novelist, Newbery Award-Winning Author of Walk
Two Moons, Absolutely Normal Chaos, and Chasing Redbird
Michael Crichton 1942-
21
American Novelist, Screenwriter, and Film Director, Author of
The Andromeda Strain, Sphere, Jurassic Park, The Lost World, and
Twister, and Creator and Executive Producer of the Television
Series "ER"
Karen Cushman 1941-
37
American Writer of Historical Fiction for Young Adults,
Newbery Award-Winning Author of Catherine, Called Birdy,
The Midwife's Apprentice, and The Ballad of Lucy Whipple
Tomie dePaola 1934-
51
American Children's Author and Illustrator, Creator of
Strega Nona
Lorraine Hansberry 1930-1965
67
American Playwright and Author of A Raisin in the Sun, First
Black Playwright to Win New York Drama Critics' Circle Award
Karen Hesse 1952-
85
American Writer of Books for Children and Young Adults,
Newbery Award-Winning Author of Out of the Dust
Brian Jacques 1939-
99
English Author, Playwright, and Radio Host, Author of the
Redwall Series of Fantasy/Adventure Novels for Young Adults
Gary Soto 1952-
111
American Poet, Essayist, and Writer of Young Adult Fiction,
Author of The Elements of San Joaquin and Baseball in April
3
Richard Wright 1908-1960
126
American Novelist and Author of Native Son and Black Boy
Laurence Yep 1948-
140
American Novelist, Best-Selling Author of Dragonwings and
Dragon's Gate
Photo and Illustration Credits
159
How to Use the Cumulative Index
161
General Index
163
(Includes Names, Occupations, Nationalities, and
Ethnic and Minority Origins)
Places of Birth Index
185
Birthday Index
193
(By Month and Day)
4
SP
Preface
Welcome to the fifth volume of the Biography Today Author Series. We
are publishing this series in response to the growing number of suggestions
from our readers, who want more coverage of more people in Biography
Several volumes, covering Artists, Authors, Scientists and Inven-
Today.
tors, Sports Figures, and World Leaders, have appeared thus far in the
Subject Series. Each of these hardcover volumes is 200 pages in length and
covers approximately 12 individuals of interest to readers ages 9 and above.
The length and format of the entries will be like those found in the regular is-
but there is no duplication betWeen the regular se-
sues of Biography
Today,
ries and the special subject volumes.
The Plan of the Work
this special subject volume on
As with the regular issues of Biography
Today,
Authors was especially created to appeal to young readers in a format they
can enjoy reading and readily understand. Each volume contains alphabeti-
cally arranged sketches. Each entry provides at least one picture of the indi-
vidual profiled, and bold-faced rubrics lead the reader to information on
birth, youth, early memories, education, first jobs, marriage and family, career
highlights, memorable experiences, hobbies, and honors and awards. Each of
the entries ends with a list of easily accessible sources designed to lead the
student to further reading on the individual and a current address. Obituary
entries are also included, written to provide a perspective on the individual's
entire career. Obituaries are clearly marked in both the table of contents and
at the beginning of the entry.
Biographies are prepared by Omnigraphics editors after extensive research,
utilizing the most current materials available. Those sources that are general-
ly available to students appear in the list of further reading at the end of the
sketch.
Indexes
Beginning with all publications in 1999, a new Index is appearing in
In an effort to make the index easier to use, we have com-
Biography
Today.
bined the Name and General Index into one, called the General Index.
This new index contains the names of all individuals who have appeared in
since the series began. The names appear in bold faced type,
Biography
Today
5
followed by the issue in which they appeared. The General Index also con-
tains the occupations and ethnic and minority origins of individuals profiled.
The General Index is cumulative, including references to all individuals who
have appeared in the Biography Today General Series and the Biography
Today Special Subject volumes since the series began in 1992.
The Birthday Index and Places of Birth Index will continue to appear in all
Special Subject volumes.
Our Advisors
This volume was reviewed by an Advisory Board comprised of librarians,
children's literature specialists, and reading instructors so that we could make
sure that the concept of this publication to provide a readable and accessi-
ble biographical magazine for young readerswas on target. They evaluated
the title as it developed, and their suggestions have proved invaluable. Any
errors, however, are ours alone. We'd like to list the Advisory Board mem-
bers, and to thank them for their efforts.
Sandra Arden, Retired Judy Liskov
Waterford Public Library
Assistant Director
Waterford, CT
Troy Public Library, Troy, MI
Sylvia Mavrogenes
Gail Beaver
Miami-Dade Public Library System
Ann Arbor Huron High School Library
Miami, FL
and the University of Michigan School
of Information and Library Studies
Carole J. McCollough
Ann Arbor, MI
Wayne State University School of
Library Science, Detroit, MI
Marilyn Bethel
Pompano Beach Branch Library
Deborah Rutter
Pompano Beach, FL
Russell Library, Middletown, CT
Eileen Butterfield
Barbara Sawyer
Waterford Public Library
Groton Public Library and Information
Waterford, CT
Center, Groton, CT
Linda Carpino
Renee Schwartz
Detroit Public Library
School Board of Broward County
Detroit, MI
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Helen Gregory
Lee Sprince
Grosse Pointe Public Library
Broward West Regional Library
Grosse Pointe, MI
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Jane Klasing, Retired
Susan Stewart, Retired
School Board of Broward County
Bimey Middle School Reading
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Laboratory, Southfield, MI
Ethel Stoloff, Retired
Marlene Lee
Librarian, Bimey Middle School
Broward County Public Library System
Southfield, MI
Fort Lauderdale, FL
6
Our Advisory Board stressed to us that we should not shy away from contro-
versial or unconventional people in our profiles, and we have tried to follow
their advice. The Advisory Board also mentioned that the sketches might be
useful in reluctant reader and adult literacy programs, and we would value
any comments librarians might have about the suitability of our magazine for
those purposes.
Your Comments Are Welcome
Our goal is to be accurate and up-to-date, to give young readers information
they can learn from and enjoy. Now we want to know what you think. Take a
look at this issue of Biography Today, on approval. Write or call me with your
comments. We want to provide an excellent source of biographical informa-
tion for young people. Let us know how you think we're doing.
Laurie Harris
Executive Editor, Biography Today
Omnigraphics, Inc.
Penobscot Building
Detroit, MI
48226
Fax:
1-800-875-1340
7
Sharon Creech 1945
-
American Novelist for Children and Young Adults
Author of Walk Two Moons, Absolutely Normal Chaos,
and Chasing Redbird
Winner of the 1995 Newbery Medal
BIRTH
Sharon Creech was born on July 29, 1945, in Mayfield Heights,
Ohio. She has given out very little information about her fami-
ly and early life, but her maiden name is Creech, she comes
from a large family, and she has at least two siblings, including
one who is older and one who is younger.
9
9