Mona Susan Power facts for kids

Mona Susan Power (born in 1961) is a talented Native American author. She is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota. Today, she lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Her first book, a novel called The Grass Dancer, came out in 1994. This book was very successful and won the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel in 1995.

About Mona Susan Power

Mona Susan Power was born in Chicago, Illinois. She is a registered member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota. Her family has a strong history.

Her Family's Legacy

Mona's mother, Susan Kelly Power, was known as Gathering of Stormclouds Woman. She was an important activist who helped start the American Indian Center of Chicago.

Mona's grandmother, Josephine Gates Kelly, was also a leader. She served three times as the chairperson for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Mona's great-grandmother was Nellie Two Bears Gates. Her family also includes a famous Sioux Chief named Mato Nupa, which means Two Bears.

Mona's father, Carleton Gilmore Power, was from New England. He worked in publishing. His family also had important members, including a great-great-grandfather who was a governor of New Hampshire. Mona grew up hearing many stories from both sides of her family. These stories helped inspire her imagination.

Her Education

Mona Susan Power went to school in Chicago. After that, she studied at Harvard University, where she earned her first degree. She then went on to get a law degree from Harvard Law School.

In 1992, she decided to focus on writing. She joined a special writing program called the Iowa Writers' Workshop.

Her Writing Career

After working as a lawyer for a short time, Mona Susan Power decided to become a full-time writer. She worked as a technical writer and editor. This job helped her pay the bills while she spent her free time writing creative stories.

Her First Novel

Her first novel, The Grass Dancer, was published in 1994. This book tells a detailed story about four generations of Native Americans. The events in the book take place over many years, from 1864 to 1986.

Other Works and Teaching

Mona Susan Power has written several other books since her first novel. Her short stories have appeared in well-known magazines like Atlantic Monthly and The Paris Review.

She also shares her knowledge with others. She teaches at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Her most recent novel, A Council of Dolls, was released in 2023. This book was recognized for its quality and was considered for the National Book Award for Fiction.

Awards and Recognition

Mona Susan Power's first novel, The Grass Dancer, won the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel in 1995. This award is given to the best first novel by an American author. She also received a United States Artists Fellowship, which supports talented artists.