Agnes Hewes facts for kids

Agnes Danforth Hewes (born March 30, 1874 – died September 30, 1963) was an American author who wrote exciting books for young readers. She was so good that three of her books were even considered for the famous Newbery Medal, which is a big award for children's literature! Her early life in a faraway country greatly shaped her stories.

Agnes Hewes's Life Story

Agnes Hewes was born in a place called Tripoli, Lebanon. Back then, it was part of Syria. Her parents, Galen Bancroft Danforth and Emily Reynolds Calhoun Danforth, were medical missionaries. This means they were doctors who traveled to help people and share their beliefs. Her father studied medicine in Germany and Scotland before becoming a doctor, just like his own father.

Sadly, Agnes's father passed away when she was very young, in 1875. Her mother also passed away a few years later, in 1881. This left Agnes to be cared for by a kind nurse and household helpers. She lived with her grandmother, Emily Pitkin Reynolds Calhoun, in a town called Abeih, in Lebanon, until she was 12 years old. During this time, she grew up speaking Arabic.

Growing Up in a New Culture

Agnes's grandmother, Emily Pitkin Calhoun, also had a husband who was a missionary. When Agnes's grandmother returned to Lebanon to care for her, Agnes had learned so much Arabic that she couldn't answer her grandmother in English! This early experience of living in Lebanon and learning a new language had a huge impact on Agnes. Her aunt and uncle were also missionaries in Lebanon.

Agnes loved her childhood in Lebanon. She later wrote about how special it was:

My fairy godmother's priceless gift to me was to let me live my first twelve years in Syria. That, in a nutshell, is my feeling about Syria! That is why I wrote my first book, because I loved Syria so much—its magnificent brilliant scenery, its dear warm-hearted people, its customs come down from the Bible times, its beautiful dignified speech, its rich historical background—that I wanted American children to love it, to see it with my eyes. I felt as if no one could afford to miss knowing my Syria. I feel so still.

This quote shows how much she loved the country and its culture. It also explains why she wanted to share her experiences with American children through her books.

Becoming a Writer

Agnes Hewes likely graduated from Elmira College in New York. In 1901, she married Laurence Ilsley Hewes. They had several children between 1902 and 1916. One of her daughters, Mary, even wrote a book about her mother later on.

Agnes wrote her first book for young people in 1923. Many of her books explored different cultures and early international trade. She eventually settled in San Francisco, California, where she passed away on September 30, 1963.

Books by Agnes Danforth Hewes

Agnes Danforth Hewes wrote many exciting books for young readers. Here are some of her well-known titles:

• A Boy of the Lost Crusade (1923)
• Swords on the Sea (1928)
• Spice and the Devil's Cave (1930)
• Glory of the Seas (1933)
• The Codfish Musket (1936)
• The Sword of Roland Arnot (1939)
• Jackhammer; Drill Runners of the Mountain Highways (1942)
• Two Oceans to Canton, the Story of the Old China Trade (1944)
• Spice Ho! A Story of Discovery (1947)
• A Hundred Bridges To Go (1950)

Three of her children's books were chosen as Newbery Honor Books. This means they were runners-up for the prestigious Newbery Medal, which is given to the author of the most outstanding American book for children.