Lorene Cary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lorene Cary
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Cary in 2006
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| Born | 1956 (age 68–69) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Alma mater | St. Paul's School University of Pennsylvania University of Sussex |
| Period | 1988–present |
| Genre | Memoir, novel, historical novel |
| Subject | African-American experience |
| Notable works | Black Ice |
Lorene Cary (born 1956) is an American author, teacher, and social activist. She writes books for both adults and young people. Her stories often explore the experiences of African Americans.
About Lorene Cary
Lorene Cary grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1972, she received a scholarship to attend St. Paul's boarding school in New Hampshire. She was one of the first girls and one of the few African-American students to attend the school. She graduated in 1974.
After St. Paul's, she went to the University of Pennsylvania. She earned two degrees there by 1978. She then received a special scholarship to study in the United Kingdom. She earned another degree from University of Sussex in England.
After college, Lorene Cary worked for several magazines. These included Time, TV Guide, and Newsweek. She also wrote articles for other magazines like Essence and newspapers like the Philadelphia Inquirer. In 1982, she returned to St. Paul's School to teach. Today, she teaches creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania.
Lorene Cary's Books
Lorene Cary has written many books. Her first book, Black Ice, was published in 1991. It is a memoir, which means it's a true story about her own life. The book shares her experiences at St. Paul's School. Critics praised Black Ice for being very honest about topics like race and fairness in America. It was even chosen as a top book for summer reading by The New York Times.
In 1995, Cary published her first novel, The Price of a Child. This book is a historical novel. It is based on the true story of Jane Johnson. She was an enslaved woman who escaped to freedom in Philadelphia with her two sons in 1855. The novel tells the story of Ginnie Pryor, an enslaved person from Virginia. She escapes while traveling and tries to build a new life in Philadelphia using the Underground Railroad.
Her second novel, Pride, came out in 1998. This book looks at the lives of four modern African-American women.
Lorene Cary also wrote a book for young adults called FREE!. It was published in 2005. This book shares true stories about people who escaped slavery using the Underground Railroad. Cary wanted these stories to help young readers imagine what life was like for enslaved people. She hoped it would help readers feel compassion and respect for them.
In 2011, she published her third novel, If Sons, Then Heirs. This story is set in modern times. It explores themes of family, race, and how the past affects the present. The main character, Alonzo Rayne, tries to help his great-grandmother. He uncovers family secrets and learns about unfair laws from the past.
Art Sanctuary Organization
In 1998, Lorene Cary started an organization called Art Sanctuary. This group supports African-American artists and writers. It helps share their work in literature, visual arts, and performing arts.
Every year, Art Sanctuary hosts a big African-American arts festival. During this festival, writers talk about their books with many students. Thousands of people also attend workshops, panels, and other fun events. It's a great way to celebrate art and culture.
