Maureen Wartski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maureen Wartski
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Maureen Wartski in 2009
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| Born | Maureen Ann Crane January 25, 1940 Ashiya, Hyōgo, Japan |
| Died | January 14, 2014 (aged 73) |
| Occupation | author, novels and short stories |
| Genre | Children's books, Young adult, novels |
| Notable works | A Boat to Nowhere |
Maureen Crane Wartski (born Maureen Ann Crane, January 25, 1940 – January 14, 2014) was an American author. She wrote many exciting novels for children and young adults. Her family background, which included both Asian and European roots, and her love for nature, inspired many of her stories.
Maureen Wartski's books often explored important topics. She wrote about issues like racism (in books such as The Face in My Mirror and A Boat to Nowhere). She also wrote about finding your own identity (in My Brother Is Special and The Promise). Another topic she covered was bullying, which you can read about in Yuri's Brush with Magic.
About Maureen Wartski
Maureen Crane Wartski was born in Ashiya, Hyōgo, Japan. Her father, Albert Edwin Crane, was a businessman. Her mother, Josephine Wagen Crane, was a teacher from Geneva, Switzerland.
Maureen loved writing from a young age. She enjoyed listening to stories and folktales told by her aunts. An uncle also introduced her to classic books. These experiences made her realize how powerful words could be. Her mixed heritage and strong connection to the natural world greatly influenced her novels for young readers. Before becoming a full-time author, Wartski was a high school English teacher. She also led writing workshops to help others tell their own stories.
Maureen Wartski studied at the University of Redlands. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962 from Sophia University in Japan. In the same year, she became a U.S. citizen. She married Maximilian Wartski, and they had two sons.
Her Writing Career
Maureen Ann Crane Wartski had several interesting jobs before becoming a full-time author. She worked as a history teacher, a reporter, and even gave talks about creative writing. Her very first book for young people, My Brother Is Special, was published in 1979. She also wrote plays and short stories for popular children's magazines. These included Highlights, Boys' Life, and Scholastic. Sometimes she used the pen name M. A. Crane for these shorter works.
In 1980, Maureen Wartski received a special honor. She won the Josette Frank Award from the Bank Street College of Education. This award was for her young adult novel, A Boat to Nowhere.
In 2010, she wrote her 13th children's book, Yuri's Brush with Magic. This book is an adventure story about a young Japanese-American girl. The girl has to spend her summer on the North Carolina coast. She stays with her mysterious and magical "Aunt Yuri" from Japan. In Yuri's Brush with Magic, Maureen Wartski blended Japanese folk tales, like the story of Urashima Tarō, into a modern adventure. This made it a unique read for middle school students. The book was also a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in Children's/Juvenile Fiction.
Maureen Wartski believed that a person's background and family history are very important parts of who they are. She explored these ideas in her writing. However, she also showed that people can find common ground. Shared memories and experiences can help characters – and readers – look past differences. This allows them to build friendships and trust.
Her Books
- My Brother Is Special, 1979, Westminster John Knox Press
- A Long Way from Home, 1980, Westminster Press
- A Boat to Nowhere, 1980, Signet Books
- The Lake Is on Fire, 1981, Westminster John Knox Press
- The Face in My Mirror, 1994, Random House
- Candle in the Wind, 1999, Turtleback Books
- The Promise, 2003, Perfection Learning
- Yuri's Brush with Magic, 2010, Sleepy Hollow Books
More Information
- Michael M. Levy, [1], "Refugees and Immigrants: The Southeast Asian Experience as Depicted in Recent American Children's Books"
- The Maureen Crane Wartski Papers, de Grummond Collection, McCain Library and Archives, University Libraries, University of Southern Mississippi [2]
