Deborah Ellis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deborah Ellis
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Deborah Ellis in Renaissance, Florida, in 2011.
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| Born | August 7, 1960 Cochrane, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation | Writer and activist |
| Notable works |
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Deborah Ellis (born August 7, 1960) is a famous Canadian author and activist. She is best known for writing powerful stories about the challenges faced by children in difficult situations around the world.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Writing
Deborah Ellis was born in Cochrane, a town in Ontario, Canada. Because of her parents' jobs, her family moved many times while she was growing up. She discovered her love for writing at a young age and wrote her first stories when she was 11 or 12 years old.
A Career Inspired by the World
Many of Deborah's books come from her own experiences traveling the globe. She talks to people, listens to their stories, and uses these conversations as inspiration for her writing. She has also worked to support peace and has spoken out against war.
The Breadwinner Series
In 1997, Ellis traveled to Pakistan and visited a camp for refugees from Afghanistan. There, she interviewed many people and heard their incredible stories of survival. These interviews gave her the idea for her most famous book series, The Breadwinner.
- The Breadwinner (2001): This book tells the story of Parvana, a young girl in Afghanistan who must disguise herself as a boy to support her family.
- Parvana's Journey (2002): The sequel continues Parvana's story as she searches for her family.
- Mud City (2003): This book focuses on Shauzia, Parvana's best friend.
- My Name Is Parvana (2011): The fourth book in the series follows Parvana as she faces new challenges.
- One More Mountain (2022): The newest book picks up Parvana's story as major changes happen in her country.
While the first book was inspired by a real mother and daughter, the other books in the series are fictional stories that imagine how children might survive in very tough times.
Other Powerful Stories
Deborah Ellis has written many other award-winning books that explore important topics.
Looking for X
Published in 1999, Looking for X is about a young girl living in a poor neighborhood in Toronto. The book was a huge success and won the Governor General's Award, one of Canada's top book prizes, in 2000.
The Heaven Shop
Her 2004 book, The Heaven Shop, is set in Malawi, a country in Africa. It tells the story of a family of orphans who lose their home because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Ellis wrote the book to help people understand the truth about HIV/AIDS and to show the bravery of the children affected by it.
I Am a Taxi
In 2006, Ellis wrote the bestseller I Am a Taxi. The story is about a boy in Bolivia named Diego. After his family is accused of a crime, Diego has to work to earn money. He ends up in the coca fields, where the leaves for illegal substances are grown. The book follows his dangerous adventures. The sequel, Sacred Leaf, continues Diego's story.
More Recent Books
- Bifocal (2007): Written with author Eric Walters, this novel explores issues of racism and extremism in Canada.
- Lunch with Lenin and Other Stories (2008): This is a collection of short stories about children from all over the world whose lives have been affected by difficult situations.
- Moon at Nine (2014): This novel is based on the true story of two teenage girls in Iran. They are arrested and put in prison because their close friendship is seen as a crime in their country.
Honors and Awards
Deborah Ellis has received many awards for her writing and her work to help others.
- In 2006, she was named to the Order of Ontario, a high honor in her home province.
- In 2016, she was named a Member of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honors.
- She has also won the Jane Addams Children's Book Award and the Vicky Metcalf Award for her collection of work.
Helping Others
Deborah Ellis is a philanthropist, which means she gives money to help people in need. She donates almost all of the money she earns from her books to organizations that help others. These include "Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan" and UNICEF.
See also
In Spanish: Deborah Ellis para niños
