Elizabeth George Speare facts for kids

Elizabeth George Speare (born November 21, 1908 – died November 15, 1994) was a famous American writer. She is best known for her exciting historical novels for children. Her books have won many awards, including two Newbery Medals.

Elizabeth George Speare is one of only six writers to win the Newbery Medal twice. This award celebrates the best American children's literature each year. In 1989, she also received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal. This award honors authors who have made a lasting impact on children's literature. Her books are very popular and are often read in schools across the country.

About Elizabeth George Speare

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth George Speare was born in Melrose, Massachusetts. Her parents were Harry Allan and Demetria Simmons George. She often said her childhood was "exceptionally happy." Melrose was a wonderful place to grow up, with fields and woods nearby for hiking. Her family also often went to Boston for fun trips to theaters and concerts. She had a big, loving family, including a brother, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Elizabeth discovered her talent for writing when she was only eight years old. She continued to write stories all through high school. After high school, she went to Smith College and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1930. She then got her Master's degree in English from Boston University. From 1932 to 1936, she taught English at private high schools in Massachusetts.

Family Life

In 1936, Elizabeth met Alden Speare, who would become her husband. They moved to Connecticut after they got married. They had two children: Alden Jr., born in 1939, and Mary, born in 1942. Elizabeth always wanted to be a writer. However, being a mom and wife took up most of her time. She began to focus seriously on writing when her children were older, in junior high school.

Her Writing Career

First Steps in Writing

Elizabeth George Speare's first published work was a magazine article. It was about skiing with her children. She wrote many other articles for magazines like Better Homes and Gardens and Woman's Day. These articles were often about her experiences as a mother. She also tried writing short plays.

Famous Historical Novels

Speare's first book, Calico Captive, came out in 1957. It is a historical novel about a family in colonial New Hampshire. They are kidnapped by Native Americans in 1754.

The next year, she wrote her second historical novel, The Witch of Blackbird Pond. This book won many awards, including her first Newbery Medal. She got ideas for her books by researching the history of New England and Connecticut.

In 1961, her third book, The Bronze Bow, won her a second Newbery Medal. This was a rare achievement! Her book The Sign of the Beaver (1983) also won awards, like the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.

Elizabeth George Speare's books are not just exciting stories from the past. They also explore important ideas and values that are still true today. Her stories give readers hope for the present and the future.

Later Years and Legacy

Elizabeth George Speare passed away on November 15, 1994, in Tucson, Arizona. She died due to health reasons. Her books continue to be loved by young readers and are an important part of children's literature.

List of Works

• Calico Captive (1957)
• The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1958) — Newbery Medal winner
• The Bronze Bow (1961) — Newbery Medal winner
• Life in Colonial America (1963)
• The Prospering (1966)
• The Sign of the Beaver (1983) — Newbery Honor winner