Gloria Skurzynski facts for kids

Gloria Joan Skurzynski, born on July 6, 1930, is an American author. She writes many books for young people, including both made-up stories (fiction) and true stories (non-fiction).

About Gloria Skurzynski's Life

Growing Up in Pennsylvania

Gloria Joan Flister Skurzynski was born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, in 1930. Her parents were Aylmer Kearney Flister and Serena Decker Flister. Her father worked in a steel mill, and her mother was a telegraph operator. Gloria grew up during a tough time called the Great Depression.

She went to Carlow University in 1948, which was then known as Mount Mercy College. However, she did not enjoy school very much. She decided to leave college. From 1950 to 1952, she worked as a clerk at U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh.

Family Life and Moving West

While working at U.S. Steel, Gloria met Edward Joseph Skurzynski. They got married in December 1951. They later had five children together. The family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Today, Gloria and her husband Edward live in Boise, Idaho.

Gloria Skurzynski's Writing Career

How She Started Writing

Gloria Skurzynski has written over sixty books for young readers. She became friends with Phyllis McGinley, a poet who won a special award called the Pulitzer Prize in 1965. Phyllis McGinley encouraged Gloria to try writing professionally.

Gloria's first attempt at professional writing was turned down 58 times! But finally, her first story was published in Teen Magazine. Her work also appeared in School and Library Journal magazines. In 1966, a poem written by one of her daughters inspired her to become a full-time writer.

Writing for Young Readers

In 1979, Gloria became a professional writer. She decided to focus on writing novels for children. Her first children's novel, What Happened in Hamelin?, was published that same year. She also wrote other well-known books like The Tempering (1983) and Good-bye, Billy Radish (1992).

Gloria often uses her own life experiences in her books. This includes stories her father told her and memories from her childhood in Pittsburgh. Many of her books also explore themes about national parks, astronomy (the study of space), and animals.

Non-Fiction and Collaborations

Besides fiction, Gloria Skurzynski has written several non-fiction books. These include Bionic Parts for People: The Real Story of Artificial Organs and Replacement Parts (1978). Another non-fiction book is Are We Alone?: Scientists Search for Life in Space (2004).

More recently, she worked with her daughter, Alane Ferguson, on a book series for National Geographic Society. This series is called Mysteries in Our National Parks. For these books, Gloria did most of the research on the topics. Her daughter, Alane, wrote the conversations and dialogue.

Before becoming a professional writer, Gloria was involved with the Girl Scouts of the USA. In 1964, she wrote a play for them to perform called The Golden Chain.

Awards and Recognition

Gloria Skurzynski has received many awards for her books. In 1991, she won an Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children award. This award came from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). Later, more of her books also received this same award.

Her book Good-bye, Billy Radish was named the Best Book of the Year by the School Library Journal. It also won a Judy Lopez Memorial Book award. In 2002, Gloria received two Golden Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America for her book Rockbuster. She also earned a Science Writing Award from the American Institute of Physics. Another honor she received was a Golden Kite Award. She was also given a Christopher Award from the Western Writers of America.

Selected Works

Mysteries in Our National Parks Series

• Mysteries In Our National Parks: Ghost Horses: A Mystery in Zion National Park (2007)
• Mysteries in Our National Parks: Wolf Stalker: A Mystery in Yellowstone National Park (2007)
• Mysteries in Our National Parks: Night of the Black Bear: A Mystery in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (2007)
• Mysteries in Our National Parks: Cliff-Hanger: A Mystery in Mesa Verde National Park (2007)
• Mysteries in Our National Parks: The Hunted: A Mystery in Glacier National Park (2007)
• Mysteries in Our National Parks: Deadly Waters: A Mystery in Everglades National Park (2007)
• Mysteries in Our National Parks: Over The Edge (2008)
• Mysteries in Our National Parks: Valley of Death: A Mystery in Death Valley National Park (2008)
• Mysteries in Our National Parks: Escape From Fear: A Mystery in Virgin Islands National Park (2008)
• Mysteries in Our National Parks: Buried Alive: A Mystery in Denali National Park (2008)
• Mysteries in Our National Parks: Out of the Deep: A Mystery in Acadia National Park (2008)

The Virtual War Chronologs Series

• Virtual War (1997)
• The Clones (2002)
• The Revolt (2005)
• The Choice (2006)

Other Books

• The Magic Pumpkin (1971)
• The Remarkable Journey of Gustavus Bell (1973)
• Bionic Parts for People: The Real Story of Artificial Organs and Replacement Parts (1978)
• Lost in the Devil's Desert (1982)
• The Minstrel In The Tower (1988)
• Robots: Your High-Tech World (1990)
• Almost the Real Thing: Simulation in Your High-Tech World (1991)
• Here Comes the Mail (1992)
• Get the Message: Telecommunications in Your High-Tech World (1993)
• Zero Gravity (1994)
• Trapped in the Slickrock Canyon (1994)
• Good-bye, Billy Radish (1996)
• Discover Mars (1998)
• Spider's Voice (1999)
• The Tempering (2000)
• Rockbuster (2001)
• Are We Alone? Scientists Search for Life in Space (2004)
• Sweat and Blood: A History of U.S. Labor Unions (2008)
• This Is Rocket Science: True Stories of the Risk-taking Scientists who Figure Out Ways to Explore Beyond Earth (2010)