François Gravel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
François Gravel
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Born | October 25, 1951 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Occupation | novelist, young adult writer |
| Language | French |
| Notable works | Ostende, Fillion et frères, Adieu, Betty Crocker |
François Gravel (born October 4, 1951) is a Canadian writer from Quebec. He is best known for writing books for children and young adults. He has also published many novels for grown-ups.
François Gravel studied economics at the Université du Québec à Montréal. He used to teach economics until 2006. He is married to writer Michèle Marineau, and their daughter, Élise Gravel, is also a writer and illustrator.
His recent adult novel, À vos ordres, colonel Parkinson!, was inspired by his own experience with Parkinson's disease, a condition that affects movement. This book is also available in English as "Colonel Parkinson in Charge."
Many of his books have been translated into English by Sheila Fischman.
Contents
Awards and Recognition
François Gravel has won several important awards for his writing.
Children's Literature Awards
He won the Governor General's Award for French-language children's literature in 1991 for his book Deux heures et demie avant Jasmine. This is one of Canada's most important literary prizes.
He was also nominated for this award five other times:
- In 1994 for Klonk
- In 2000 for L'été de la moustache
- In 2002 for David et la maison de la sorcière
- In 2008 for Sales crapauds
- In 2012 for Hò
François Gravel also won the French Mr. Christie's Book Award in 1991 for Zamboni. He won it again in 2001 for David et le fantôme, working with illustrator Pierre Pratt.
In 2006, Gravel and Pratt won the French TD Canadian Children's Literature Award for their book David et le salon funéraire.
Translation Awards
The translator of his books, Sheila Fischman, has been nominated three times for the Governor General's Award for French to English translation for her work on Gravel's books:
- In 1990 for Benito
- In 1992 for Felicity's Fool (Bonheur fou)
- In 1996 for Ostende
Books by François Gravel
François Gravel has written many books for different age groups.
Novels for Adults
Here are some of his novels written for grown-ups:
- La Note de passage, 1985
- Benito, 1987
- Ostende, 1994
- Fillion et frères, 2000
- Adieu, Betty Crocker, 2003
- À vos ordres, colonel Parkinson!, 2019
- Colonel Parkinson in Charge, 2023 (non-fiction)
Books for Kids and Teens
François Gravel is very well-known for his books for young readers.
The Klonk Series
This popular series features a character named Klonk:
- Klonk, 1993
- Lance et Klonk, 1994
- Le Cercueil de Klonk, 1995
- Un amour de Klonk, 1995
- Le Cauchemar de Klonk, 1997
- Klonk et le Beatle mouillé, 1997
- Klonk et le Treize noir, 1999
- Klonk et la Queue du scorpion, 2000
- Coca-Klonk, 2001
- La Racine carrée de Klonk, 2002
- Le Testament de Klonk, 2003
- Klonk contre Klonk, 2004
The David Series
Another well-loved series by François Gravel is about a character named David:
- David et le Fantôme, 2000
- David et le Précipice, 2001
- David et les Monstres de la forêt, 2001
- David et la Maison de la sorcière, 2002
- David et l'Orage, 2003
- David et les Crabes noirs, 2004
- David et le Salon funéraire, 2005
- David et la Bête, 2007
- David et Léa, 2008
Other Children's and Young Adult Books
Here are some more books he has written for young readers:
- Corneilles, 1989
- Zamboni, 1990
- Deux heures et demie avant Jasmine, 1991
- Guillaume, 1995
- Le Match des étoiles, 1996
- L'Été de la moustache, 2000
- La Piste sauvage, 2002
- L'Araignée sauvage, 2004
- Sekhmet, la déesse sauvage, 2005
- Sales Crapauds, 2007
- La Cagoule, 2008
- Sauvage, 2010
- Du soccer extrême !, 2010
- Ça, c'est du baseball, 2010
- Ok pour le hockey !, 2011
- Il pleut des records, 2011
- Silence, on zappe !, 2012
- Schlick, 2012
- Hò, 2012
- À nous deux, Barbe-Mauve !, 2012
- Hollywood, nous voici, 2013
