Julia Sauer facts for kids

Julia Sauer (born April 8, 1891 – died June 26, 1983) was an American writer. She wrote many books for children and also worked as a librarian. Two of her most famous books, Fog Magic and The Light at Tern Rock, were honored as runners-up for the important Newbery Medal. Both of these stories take place in Canada, a country Julia Sauer loved to visit often.

About Julia Sauer's Life

Julia Lina Sauer was born on April 8, 1891, in Rochester, New York. She went to college at the University of Rochester. Later, she studied at the New York State Library School in Albany, New York.

After finishing her studies, Julia Sauer returned to Rochester. From 1921 to 1958, she was the head of the children's department at the Public Library there. Even though she lived most of her life in Rochester, she spent many summers in Little River, Nova Scotia, Canada. This beautiful area in Canada became the setting for her two award-winning books.

Julia Sauer as a Librarian

As a librarian, Julia Sauer was very involved in helping children discover books. She even used the new technology of radio to reach young readers. She broadcasted special programs for students in fifth through eleventh grades directly into their schools. She also edited a book about how to give radio book talks for children.

Her early work as a children's librarian was recognized by the American Library Association (ALA). In 1939, she became the chairman of a special committee. This committee focused on planning and setting up libraries for children.

Books: Fantasy or Reality?

In the early 1940s, there was a big discussion among people who wrote and worked with children's books. They debated whether children's books should be imaginative stories that help kids escape reality, or if they should show the real challenges of modern life. This included tough times like the Great Depression and events leading up to World War II.

Some people believed in fantasy books, which they saw as beautiful and dreamlike, like a nightingale from a fairy tale. Others preferred realistic stories. They often pointed to a character named Janey Larkins from the book Blue Willow by Doris Gates. This book was one of the first realistic "problem novels" for children in America.

The American Library Association asked Julia Sauer to share her thoughts on this debate. In 1941, she wrote an article called "Making the World Safe for the Janey Larkins." In her article, Sauer said that children should not be completely protected from the real world. However, she also argued that children need both realistic stories and imaginative ones. She encouraged other librarians to offer both types of books. She believed that to make the world safe for everyone, including those who dream (like nightingales), it must first be safe for those facing real-life challenges (like Janey Larkins).

Later Work and Legacy

In 1942, Julia Sauer gave a speech called "Library Services to Children in a World at War." She presented this paper at a big meeting in Washington, D.C. Her last children's book, Mike's House, came out in 1954. This book tells the story of a little boy who loves Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel so much that he calls the library "Mike's House."

In 1955, Julia Sauer and two other librarians, Virginia Haviland and Elizabeth Gross, created a list. It was a list of "50 Outstanding Books Published Since 1940" for Atlantic Monthly magazine. Besides writing, Sauer often spoke at colleges, library events, and national meetings throughout her life.

Julia Sauer passed away on June 26, 1983, in Rochester, New York.

Julia Sauer's Books

Fiction Books

• Fog Magic, published by Viking Press, 1943
• The Light at Tern Rock, published by Viking Press, 1951
• Mike's House, published by Viking Press, 1954

Other Works

• Radio Roads to Reading: Library Book Talks Broadcast to Boys and Girls, (editor), published by Wilson, 1939