Joan Lowery Nixon facts for kids

Joan Lowery Nixon (born February 3, 1927 – died June 28, 2003) was an American writer. She was known for her exciting historical fiction and mystery books. She wrote many stories especially for kids and young adults.

About Joan Lowery Nixon

Joan Lowery was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 3, 1927. She studied Journalism at the University of Southern California. She earned her degree in 1947. While at college, she met Hershell Nixon. He was a United States Navy officer and a geologist. They later got married.

Before starting her family, Joan taught school in Los Angeles. In 1964, her first book for children was published. It was called The Mystery of Hurricane Castle. Joan and Hershell had four children. Their son, Joe Nixon, became a lawyer in Houston. The family lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, for a while. Later, they settled in Houston, Texas. Joan Lowery Nixon passed away in Houston on June 28, 2003.

Her Amazing Books

Joan Lowery Nixon wrote more than 140 books! Many of her books were mysteries and historical stories. One of her famous books is The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore, published in 1979. She also worked with her husband, Hershell. Together, they wrote several science books.

Awards and Recognition

Joan Lowery Nixon was a very celebrated author. She was the only writer to win four Edgar Allan Poe Awards. These awards are given by the Mystery Writers of America. She was also nominated for five other Edgar Awards.

She won the California Young Reader Medal twice. This award comes from the California Library Association. She also received the Western Writers of America's Golden Spur Award two times. The Texas Institute of Letters Award was another honor she received. Her book Land of Hope is even used in some middle schools.

Books on Screen

One of her novels, The Other Side of Dark, was turned into a TV movie. The movie was called Awake To Danger. It came out in 1995 and starred actors like Tori Spelling.