Judith Guest facts for kids

Judith Guest (born March 29, 1936) is an American writer. She writes both novels and screenplays for movies. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1936. She is the great-niece of a famous poet named Edgar Guest. Judith Guest has also won a special award for her writing called the Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize.

Early Life and Education

Judith Guest went to Mumford High School in Detroit. Later, her family moved to Royal Oak, Michigan, and she finished high school there in 1954.

After high school, she went to the University of Michigan. She studied English and psychology. She earned a degree in education from the university.

Her Writing Career

Before becoming a full-time writer, Judith Guest taught at a public school. She then decided to focus on writing her first novel.

Famous Books and Movies

Judith Guest's first book was called Ordinary People. It was published in 1976. This book was so popular that it was made into a movie in 1980. The movie Ordinary People even won an Academy Award for Best Picture.

Many of her books are about young people dealing with tough times. These include Second Heaven (1982) and Errands (1997). She also wrote the screenplay for the 1987 movie Rachel River.

Other Works

Judith Guest has also written mystery novels. She co-wrote a mystery called Killing Time in St. Cloud (1988) with another writer, Rebecca Hill.

Her more recent book, The Tarnished Eye (2004), is a mystery. It is based on a real unsolved crime that happened in her home state of Michigan.

Personal Life

Judith Guest was married for almost 50 years. Her husband was Larry LaVercombe, who passed away in 2009. Judith Guest lives in Edina, Minnesota, with her three sons and their families.