Elizabeth Partridge facts for kids
Elizabeth Partridge, born on September 1, 1951, is an American author who writes many different kinds of books. She has written over a dozen books, including exciting nonfiction for young adults, colorful picture books, and even books about photography. Some of her well-known books are Marching for Freedom, John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth, and This Land Was Made for You and Me: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie. She also wrote Restless Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange.
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Her Creative Family
Elizabeth Partridge comes from a very artistic family. Her father, Rondal Partridge, was a photographer. Her grandmother, Imogen Cunningham, was also a famous photographer. Her grandfather, Roi Partridge, was an etcher, which means he created art by engraving designs onto metal.
Awards and Recognition
Elizabeth Partridge has won many important awards for her books. She was a finalist for the National Book Award, which is a big honor for writers. She was also a runner-up for the Michael L. Printz Award, which recognizes excellent books for young adults. Twice, she was a runner-up for the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award.
She has won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She also received the Jane Addams Children's Book Award, which honors books that promote peace and social justice. In 2023, she won the prestigious Sibert Medal for her book Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams’s Photographs Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration.
Sharing Her Knowledge
Elizabeth Partridge also teaches writing. She is a faculty member at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. There, she helps students who are studying to become writers for children and young adults. She has also served on important committees that choose award-winning books, like the National Book Award Committee for Young People's Literature.
Her Books for Young Readers
Elizabeth Partridge has written many books that are popular with young people.
Young Adult Nonfiction
These books tell true stories about important people and events.
- Restless Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange (1998)
- This Land Was Made For You and Me: The Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie (2002)
- John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth (2005)
- Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don't You Grow Weary (2009)
- Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam (2018)
- Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams’s Photographs Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration (2022)
Novels
Elizabeth Partridge has also written fiction stories.
- Clara and the Hoodoo Man (1996)
- Dogtag Summer (2011)
Picture Books
These books are for younger children and feature beautiful illustrations.
- Pigs Eggs, illustrated by Martha Weston (2000)
- Oranges on Golden Mountain, illustrated by Aki Sogabi (2002)
- Moon Glowing, illustrated by Joan Paley (2002)
- Kogi's Mysterious Journey, illustrated by Aki Sogabi (2003)
- Whistling, illustrated by Anna Grossnickle Hines (2003)
- Big Cat Pepper, illustrated by Lauren Castille (2009)
Notable Awards for Specific Books
Many of Elizabeth Partridge's books have received special recognition.
Marching for Freedom
This book received many honors, including:
- Boston Globe-Horn Book Award runner-up
- Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature
- Jane Addams Children's Book Award
- ALA Notable Children's Book
- ALA Best Books for Young Adults
John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth
This biography of John Lennon was recognized with:
- Michael L. Printz Award Honor
- ALA Best Books for Young Adults
This Land Was Made for You and Me
This book about Woody Guthrie earned:
- National Book Award finalist
- Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Nonfiction runner-up
- Golden Kite Award, Nonfiction
- ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults
Restless Spirit
Her book about Dorothea Lange received:
- Jane Addams Children's Honor Book
- Golden Kite Award, Nonfiction honor book
- ALA Best Books for Young Adults
Seen and Unseen
This book about Japanese American incarceration won the prestigious:
