Patricia MacLachlan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patricia MacLachlan
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Born | Patricia Marie Pritzkau March 3, 1938 Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Died | March 31, 2022 (aged 84) Williamsburg, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Alma mater | University of Connecticut |
| Genre | Children's and young-adult novels, historical fiction |
| Notable awards | Newbery Medal 1986 |
Patricia MacLachlan (born Patricia Marie Pritzkau; March 3, 1938 – March 31, 2022) was an American writer. She was famous for her children's books. Her most well-known novel is Sarah, Plain and Tall. This book won a special award called the Newbery Medal in 1986.
Contents
About Patricia MacLachlan
Patricia MacLachlan wrote many wonderful books for young readers. She was known for telling stories that touched people's hearts. Her books often explored themes of family, home, and finding your place. She created characters that felt real and relatable.
Early Life and Education
Patricia MacLachlan was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on March 3, 1938. Her father was a professor. Her mother was an English teacher before becoming a homemaker. When Patricia was five, her family moved to Rochester, Minnesota. Later, they moved to Connecticut.
She went to the University of Connecticut. There, she studied English. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1962.
Becoming a Writer
Before writing, MacLachlan taught English. She taught at Bennett Junior High School in Manchester, Connecticut. She worked there from 1963 to 1979. She also worked for a family services agency.
She started writing when she was 35 years old. This was after her own children began going to school. Her first book, The Sick Day, came out in 1979. Her first novel, Arthur, for the Very First Time, was published in 1980.
Sarah, Plain and Tall and Other Works
Six years after her first novel, she won the Newbery Medal. This was for her book Sarah, Plain and Tall. This book was so popular it was made into a TV movie in 1991. Famous actors Glenn Close and Christopher Walken starred in it. Patricia MacLachlan even helped write the movie script! They also made a sequel movie called Skylark.
Other books by MacLachlan were also made into TV movies. These include Journey (1991) and Baby (1993). She wrote more than 60 children's books in her career. Later in her life, she wrote several picture books with her daughter, Emily MacLachlan Charest. Some of these include Once I Ate a Pie and Cat Talk.
In 2002, Patricia MacLachlan received the National Humanities Medal. This award honors people who have helped us understand history, culture, and language. She also worked with the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance. This group helps support reading and libraries for kids.
Family Life
Patricia MacLachlan married Robert MacLachlan in 1962. They met while she was in college. They stayed married until Robert passed away in 2015. They had three children together: John, Emily, and Jamison.
She lived in western Massachusetts. She always kept a small bag of dirt from the prairies. This reminded her of her home in Wyoming.
Patricia MacLachlan passed away on March 31, 2022. She was 84 years old.
Popular Books by Patricia MacLachlan
Patricia MacLachlan wrote many beloved books. Here are some of her most famous ones:
The Sarah, Plain and Tall Series
This series tells the story of the Witting family.
- Sarah, Plain and Tall (1985) — This book won the 1986 Newbery Medal.
- Skylark (1994) ISBN: 978-0-06-023328-0
- Caleb's Story (2001) ISBN: 978-0-06-023606-9
- More Perfect Than the Moon (2004) ISBN: 978-0-06-027558-7
- Grandfather's Dance (2009) ISBN: 978-1-4178-1868-6
Other Notable Books
