About
I am a former award-winning journalist and an author of fiction and nonfiction books for children. I write with passion about little-known people of history who face adversity with courage. My book PURE GRIT: HOW AMERICAN WORLD WAR II NURSES SURVIVED BATTLE AND PRISON CAMP IN THE PACIFIC has been named a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, Jefferson Cup Honor Book, Washington State Book Award Finalist, Booklist Editor’s Choice, to the Amelia Bloomer Project List and awarded a EUREKA! Children’s Book Award for Excellence in Nonfiction. Forthcoming in fall 2016 IRENA'S CHILDREN, YOUNG READERS EDITION (Simon & Schuster) and FANNIE NEVER FLINCHED (Abrams Books for Young Readers).
Featured Work
Fannie Never Flinched: One Woman's Courage in the Struggle for American Labor Union Rights
When immigrant women earning poverty wages in St. Louis sweatshops voted to strike, Fannie Sellins was there. When destitute coal miners dared to unionize in West Virginia, Fannie was there.
When hired gunmen threatened, beat and shot miners walking the picket line in Pennsylvania, Fannie was there. Mine operators would have paid any price to get rid of Fannie. They threatened to kill her, but Fannie refused to go away.
The United Mine Workers Journal called her an "Angel of Mercy," who went into the miners' homes, encouraging their wives and caring for the sick and dying. "Whenever there was a strike, with its inevitable suffering, Mrs. Sellins was found, caring for the women and children through the dark days of the struggle."
Other Works
-
Irena's Children, Young Readers Edition
2016
-
Pure Grit: How American WWII Nurses Survived Battle and Prison Camp in the Pacific
2014
-
Journey to the Top of the World: How One Woman Found the Courage and Commitment to Climb Mount Everest
2012
-
Celebrating Faith: Year-Round Activities for Catholic Families
2011
-
Fire In the Hole!
2004
-
Daughters of the Desert: Stories of Remarkable Women from Christian, Jewish and Muslim Traditions
2003
Awards and Recognition
- Booklist Editor’s Choice, Washington State Book Award Finalist, Western Writers of America SPUR Award/Best Juvenile Fiction, EUREKA! Children’s Book Award for Excellence in Nonfiction, Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, Jefferson Cup Honor Book, Amelia Bloomer Project List, Banks Street College Best Books, New York Public Library Best Books for the Teenage, Blue Ribbon Award from The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books,
