- Caitlin B.
- Friday, October 09, 2020
iRead features the best ebooks, eaudiobooks and print books for children and teens curated by the Children's Room and Teen Center staff.
Children & Teen Author | Sharon Draper
Sharon Draper (born 1948) grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where she majored in English at Pepperdine University then earned her Masters of Arts in English at Miami University of Ohio.
Always an avid reader, Draper taught at Cincinnati public schools from the mid-1970s until retiring in 2000. In 1997 she won National Teacher of the Year as well as Ohio State Department of Education’s "Ohio Pioneer of Education."
She began writing short stories in 1990 after being challenged by a student to “write something.” Upon winning a five thousand dollar reward and publication of her short story, One Small Torch, in Ebony magazine, Draper left the classroom and turned to writing full-time in 2000.
She writes for young readers, tweens, and teens, and her books are largely realistic fiction.
Awards
“I learned to dream through reading, learned to create dreams through writing, and learned to develop dreamers through teaching. I shall always be a dreamer. Come dream with me."
Tears of a Tiger | John Steptoe Award for New Talent | 1995
Forged by Fire | Coretta Scott King Award Winner | 1998
The Battle of Jericho | Coretta Scott King Honor Book | 2004
Copper Sun | Coretta Scott King Award Winner | 2007
November Blues | Coretta Scott King Honor Book | 2008
Margaret A. Edwards Award | 2015 for lifetime literary achievement
Visit Ms. Draper's website for a full list of her awards and achievements.