Norma Fox Mazer facts for kids

Norma Fox Mazer (born May 15, 1931 – died October 17, 2009) was an American writer and teacher. She was famous for her books for kids and young adults. Her stories often showed real young characters facing tough times. These included things like families splitting up or dealing with death.

Early Life and Family

Norma Fox Mazer was born in New York City. She grew up in Glens Falls, New York. Her parents were Michael and Jean Garlan Fox. After high school, she went to Antioch College. There, she met Harry Mazer. They got married in 1950.

Norma and Harry had four children together. One of their children, Anne Mazer, also became a writer. Besides Antioch, Norma also studied at Syracuse University. She passed away in 2009 at age 78 from brain cancer.

Becoming a Writer

Norma Mazer started writing when her children were young. For several years, she and her husband Harry wrote stories together. They wrote for popular magazines. Later, they also wrote several novels as a team.

What Made Her Books Special

People really liked Norma Mazer's books. They praised her for how smart the conversations were. Her stories also showed a deep understanding of people's feelings. She was great at showing how family problems and sad events affected young people.

Instead of simple happy endings, her stories explored more complex paths. They often followed how characters grew and learned about themselves. Sometimes, her stories were even suspenseful!

Ruth I. Gordon, a writer for New York Times Book Review, once said something important. She wrote that Mazer could show the human side of both everyday and unusual situations. This happened as young people grew up. Gordon felt that adults should read her books too. They could learn a lot about the sometimes difficult journey from being a teenager to becoming an adult.

In 1988, Norma Mazer shared her thoughts on writing. She said she wasn't trying to send direct messages. She was simply telling stories and writing novels. She hoped readers would feel a sense of hope or perhaps learn a lesson. But she made it clear she wasn't "preaching." She was just telling stories.

Awards and Recognition

Norma Mazer received many awards for her writing.

• In 1973, she was nominated for a National Book Award.
• In 1976, her book was named an American Library Association Notable Book.
• Also in 1976, her book was on the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year list.
• She won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1978.
• In 1982, she received an Edgar Award.
• She also won German Children's Literature prizes in 1982 and 1989.
• In 1988, she earned a Newbery Medal.

Teaching and Legacy

From 1997 to 2006, Norma Mazer taught writing. She was a teacher in the Master of Fine Arts program. This program at Vermont College was for writing for children and young adults. Her work continues to inspire young readers and writers.