Elaine M. Alphin facts for kids
Elaine Marie Alphin (born October 30, 1955, in San Francisco, California – died August 19, 2014, in Glenrock, Wyoming) was a talented American author. She wrote more than thirty books for children and young adults. While she mostly wrote fiction, she also published many non-fiction books. These included biographies of famous people like Davy Crockett and Louis Pasteur. She even co-wrote some biographies with her husband, Arthur Alphin.
Elaine Alphin was well-known for her historical fiction stories. She also wrote exciting psychological thrillers. Her books were very popular with both critics and young readers. In 2007, she was featured in the Contemporary Authors series. This collection publishes biographies of important writers.
Sadly, in August 2011, Alphin had a stroke. This meant she could no longer continue her writing career. Her last book was An Unspeakable Crime: The Prosecution and Persecution of Leo Frank, published in 2010. Elaine Marie Alphin passed away at her home in Glenrock, Wyoming, on August 19, 2014.
Contents
Exploring Elaine Alphin's Book Themes
Ghost Stories for Young Readers
Many of Elaine Alphin's novels are exciting ghost stories. Two of her popular books, Ghost Cadet and Ghost Soldier, feature ghosts of child-soldiers. These ghosts are from the American Civil War. They need help from modern-day children to find peace.
Ghost Cadet became her most successful book. It was reprinted many times. Its popularity led her publishers to ask for a follow-up, Ghost Soldier. In another early novel, Tournament of Time, an American schoolgirl in England makes friends with ghosts. These are the ghosts of two medieval princes. They were supposedly murdered by Richard III in the Tower of London. The girl then battles the 500-year-old ghost of their killer. This story is praised for its historical accuracy and thrilling ending.
Elaine Alphin's Published Books
Here is a list of some of the books written by Elaine Marie Alphin:
- The Ghost Cadet, Henry Holt (New York, NY), 1991.
- The Proving Ground, Henry Holt (New York, NY), 1992.
- 101 Bible Puzzles, Standard, 1993.
- Tournament of Time, Bluegrass Books, 1994.
- Rainy Day/Sunny Day/Any Day Activities, Concordia (St. Louis, MO), 1994.
- A Bear for Miguel, pictures by Joan Sandin, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1996.
- Counterfeit Son, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 2000.
- Creating Characters Kids Will Love, Writer's Digest Books (Cincinnati, OH), 2000.
- Ghost Soldier, Henry Holt (New York, NY), 2001.
- Around the World in 1500, Benchmark Books (New York, NY), 2001.
- Simon Says, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 2002.
- Germ Hunter: A Story about Louis Pasteur, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.
- Picture Perfect, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.
- Davy Crockett, Lerner (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lerner (Minneapolis, MN), 2004. (With husband, Arthur B. Alphin)
- Dinosaur Hunter, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2004.
- The Perfect Shot, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.
- An Unspeakable Crime: The Prosecution and Persecution of Leo Frank (2010).
Awards and Recognitions
Elaine Alphin's novels have received many honors. They have appeared on various state reading lists. She also earned nominations for several writing awards. In 2001, her novel Counterfeit Son won the prestigious Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel. This is a major award for mystery writers.
Other important awards include:
- 2011: Carter G. Woodson Book Award for An Unspeakable Crime: The Prosecution and Persecution of Leo Frank
- 2006: Foreword Book of the Year Gold Medal for Young Adult Fiction for The Perfect Shot
- 2006: Bank Street College Teen Selection for The Perfect Shot
- 2005: VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Award for The Perfect Shot
- 2004: Bank Street College Children's Selection for I Have Not Yet Begun To Fight
- 2004: Young Hoosier Book Award for Ghost Soldier
- 2003: New Jersey Library Association Pick of the Decade Selection for A Bear for Miguel
- 2003: Edgar Allan Poe Nomination for Best Juvenile Mystery for Ghost Soldier
- 2003: Bank Street College Children's Selection for Germ Hunter
- 2003: VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Award for Picture Perfect
- 2003: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award for "Dinosaur Hunter"
- 2002: Society of Midland Authors Children's Fiction Award for Ghost Soldier
- 2001: Edgar Award for Counterfeit Son
- 2000: Indianapolis Christian University International Washington Irving Literary Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Writing
- 1995: Virginia State Reading Association Award for Ghost Cadet
