Mary Casanova and YOU

by Mary Casanova

Overview

This seventh book in the Author and YOU series features the life and work of Mary Casanova, award-winning picture book author, and author of middle grade fiction. This title discusses her life and work and the researching, writing and illustrating of each of her books, books that often present challenges in nature and focus on relationships between people and the environment. Her most recent books, middle grade novels, include Jess—a book promoted by the American Girl publishers as their Girl of the Year (2006). The back story of each of Casanova's books will provide ideas for lesson plans and connections for the teacher to make for and with young readers. Mary Casanova and YOU gives readers the behind the scenes stories of Casanova's research and writing in her own words. She offers much information to help extend and enrich the reading experience and an intimate look at a writer and her work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591584056
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/30/2006
Series:	The Author and YOU , #7
Pages:	156
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.34(d)

About the Author

Mary Casanova is an author of picture books and novels for older readers. Her award winning books include The Hunter (illustrated by Ed Young) and Some Dog! (illustrated by Ard Hoyt). Mary enjoys the out-of-doors and lives near the Canadian border in Rainey, Minnesota.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword     vii
Introduction     xi
A Writer's Life     1
Growing Up     3
Becoming a Writer     23
The Writer     35
A List of My Books     43
Frequently Asked Questions: My Answers in Letters     61
The Stories Behind the Stories     73
Adventure Novels     75
Moose Tracks     75
Wolf Shadows     79
Stealing Thunder     82
When Eagles Fall     84
More Adventure Novels     88
The Pelican Games     88
Going Downhill Fast     89
Historical Novels     91
Riot     91
Curse of a Winter Moon     93
More Historical Novels     98
The Klipfish Code     98
The Red Skirt's Girl     100
Books with Dolls     103
Cecile: Gates of Gold     103
Jess     109
More Books with Dolls     115
A Series     117
Launching Dog Watch     117
Trouble in Pembrook     121
Dog-Napped!     122
Danger at Snow Hill     123
To Lure aBurglar     124
Books Five, Six, and Beyond     125
Picture Books     127
The Hunter     127
One-Dog Canoe     130
Some Dog!     134
Utterly Otterly Day     136
The Day Dirk Yeller Came to Town     137
Index     139

What People are Saying About This

Peggy Sharp

"The Author and YOU author series is just what librarians and teachers need. Not only does each book give fascinating personal and enlightening details about the featured author's life, the strategies for using the author's books are practical and easy to use. This series helps readers better understand the authors and the books they write, and provides creative suggestions to help young readers truly understand and appreciate the individual titles. A great resource that teachers and librarians will use again and again; the strategies can be the basis for many lessons across the curriculum. Keep these titles coming!"

Editorial Reviews

When an author takes time out from writing to reflect on what made them the writer they are, it can be unaffecting or engrossing. This book is definitely the latter. It is candid, perceptive, and offers insight into the creative mind. The author's narrative about her life reads as easily as a novel, but it's all the more fascinating for knowing that it's true. The format for this series (The Author and You) is part biography, part examination of each book, and part behind-the-scenes research. For that reason, it serves a double purpose for fans of Mary's books and students who are writing reports. There are ample photos and book covers, as well as Mary's answers to reader's letters….Highly recommended.” —Children's Literature Network

“This series indulges young readers' wishes to know more about the lives, ideas, and characters of their favorite authors. Mary Casanova, the award-winning author of often environmentally-themed picture books (including Utterly Otterly Day) and middle-grade adventure novels (e.g., Wolf Shadows), shares details and photos of growing up in Minnesota and becoming a writer. She also presents the stories behind her stories and her responses to letters from young readers, answering questions ranging from whether she has pets to how to get published.” —Reference & Research Book News

From the Publisher