Ellen Emerson White facts for kids
Ellen Emerson White is an American writer. She is famous for her many books for young adults. She grew up in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Many of her stories are about characters from Boston. They often love the Boston Red Sox, just like she does! Today, Ellen lives in New York City.
How Ellen Emerson White Writes Books
Ellen Emerson White started writing early. She wrote her first book, a mystery called Friends for Life, in 1983. She was only in her first year at Tufts University then! The next year, she wrote The President's Daughter. This book became the first in a popular four-book series.
Different Kinds of Stories
Besides her fiction books, Ellen also writes other types of stories. She has written books about sports stars. She has also written historical fiction, which means stories set in the past.
Ellen has used different names for some of her books:
- Zack Emerson: She wrote four books about soldiers in the Vietnam War using this name. She got the name "Zack" from her shepherd dog!
- Nicolas Edwards: She used this name for her fun Santa Paws series, which is about a special dog.
Characters in Her Books
The young characters in Ellen's books feel very real. They often face tough challenges. These challenges can include war, mysteries, or other big problems. But her books always focus on how these characters overcome difficulties. They learn and grow stronger. Even though their lives are not "ordinary," readers can still understand and connect with them.
Sometimes, characters or places from one of Ellen's books might appear in another. For example, a character named Trudy from The President's Daughter series lives in Brighton, Boston. This is the same area where Molly and Patrick live in Where Have All the Flowers Gone?. Also, a nurse named Rebecca Phillips from the Echo Company series is mentioned in other books later on. Ellen Emerson White loves animals, and many of her main characters do too!
Books by Ellen Emerson White
Ellen Emerson White has written many books. Here are some of her most well-known works.
Book Series
The President's Daughter Series
This series follows the life of the President's daughter.
- The President's Daughter (1984)
- White House Autumn (1985)
- Long Live the Queen (1989) - This book won an award from the ALA for Best Book for Young Adults.
- Long May She Reign (2007)
Echo Company Series (as Zack Emerson)
These books tell stories about soldiers during the Vietnam War.
- Echo Company #1: Welcome to Vietnam (1991)
- Echo Company #2: Hill 568 (1991)
- Echo Company #3: 'Tis The Season (1991)
- Echo Company #4: Stand Down (1992)
- The Road Home (1995) - This book was also recognized by the ALA as a Best Book for Young Adults.
Santa Paws Series (as Nicholas Edwards)
These books are about a dog named Santa Paws.
- Santa Paws (1991)
- Return of Santa Paws (1997)
- Santa Paws to the Rescue (2000)
- Santa Paws, Come Home (2000)
- Santa Paws, Our Hero (2002)
- Santa Paws and the New Puppy (2004)
Please note: Some books by another author named Kris Edwards (like Santa Paws Saves the Day) are not part of Ellen Emerson White's Santa Paws series.
Friends Series
- Friends for Life (1983)
- Life Without Friends (1987)
Historical Fiction and Biographies
These books are based on real historical events or people.
- Voyage on the Great Titanic (1998)
- Kaiulani: The People's Princess, Hawaii, 1889 (2001)
- The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty: United States Marine Corps Khe Sanh, Vietnam, 1968 (2002)
- Where Have All the Flowers Gone?: The Diary of Molly Mackenzie Flaherty (2002)
My Story Series
- Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Anne Brady
Sports Biographies
These books tell the life stories of famous athletes.
- Bo Jackson: Playing the Games (1990)
- Jennifer Capriati (1991)
- Jim Abbott: Against All Odds (1994)
- Shaquille O'Neal (1994)
Other Books
- Romance is a Wonderful Thing (1983)
- All Emergencies, Ring Super (1998)
- Santa Paws: The Picture Book (2003)
- Webster: Tale of an Outlaw (2015)
- A Season of Daring Greatly (2017)
