Author of the Month- Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson discovered writing in second grade when her teacher taught the class how to write Haiku poems. She was always an avid reader and enjoyed writing but she really wanted to be a doctor. Her poor grades in Chemistry eliminated that possibility. During her high school and college years she lived on a pig farm in Denmark and a dairy farm in her home state of New York. After she graduated college and got married, she wrote as a hobby. Then she became a freelance reporter. Her first novel was published in 1996. Speak was a Printz honor book in 2000. In one of her newest novels, Twisted, Anderson uses a male protagonist.

Check out Laurie Halse Anderson's website at www.writerlady.com

Author of the Month- Orson Scott Card

Orson Scott Card is an author, critic, political writer, and speaker. He mostly writes science fiction. Some of his best known works include Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow. He has also written biblical novels such as Stone Tables and Rachel and Leah. In 2004 he branched out to poetry publishing a book of poems entitled An Open Book. Orson Scott Card is a multi-faceted author who can write in a number of different genres. If you don't usually read Science Fiction, I recommend starting with Ender's Game.

Author of the Month- Judy Blume

Judy Blume has been a writer since the early 1970's. I grew up in the 1980's reading such books as Superfudge, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Blubber, and many others. Judy Blume is appealing to adults with books such as Summer Sisters, Smart Women, and her newest book, Wifey. A new generation of young girls are enjoying The Pain and Great One series, which will be coming to an end shortly. Judy Blume is also an advocate against censorship. You can visit her website at http://www.judyblume.com/. While you are there, you can also read and subscribe to her blog.

Author of the Month: Walter Dean Myers

Walter Dean Myers has been publishing books since 1969. He is a prolific contributor to the "My Name is America" series. Monster, published in 1999 was awarded the Prinz medal. It was also a Coretta Scott King Honor book and National Book Award finalist. A number of Myers' books discuss sports and some of them are set in Harlem where he grew up.

Author of the Month: Gail Carson Levine

In September, we say Happy Birthday to Gail Carson Levine. She has been writing since High School. She has written poems, novels, and even a musical. For her novels, she writes fairy tales and historical fiction. One of her most noteworthy books is Ella Enchanted, which earned her a Newberry Honor.

Gail Carson Levine Interview

Author of the Month- Avi

Avi is a well known Young Adult author who has written many types of books for a variety of ages. His novels have a variety of themes. Some are historical, while others are suspenseful and eerie.

My favorite is Avi novel is Nothing But the Truth. It is about a young man who fights for the right to sing the National Anthem at school. It is written in dialogue form. This is very appropriate because Avi began his career as a playwright.

Some other Avi novels are Something Upstairs, Crispin: Cross of Lead, Crispin at the Edge of the World, Beyond the Western Sea, and many others. Some recently published works include Seer of Shadows, The Traitors' Gate, and Iron Thunder.

Author of the Month- Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot is a popular YA author, especially among young girls. She has written The Princess Diaries series, All American Girl (which, in my own library I couldn't keep on the shelf when I first put it out), and most recently, 2 new series. One is called Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls and the other is called Airhead. Take a look at an interview with Meg Cabot.