Theodore Taylor (author) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Theodore Taylor
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | Theodore Langhans Taylor June 23, 1921 Statesville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | October 26, 2006 (aged 85) Laguna Beach, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Spouse |
Gweneth Goodwin
(m. 1941; died 1977)Flora Schoenleber
(m. 1981) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Theodore Langhans Taylor (born June 23, 1921 – died October 26, 2006) was a talented American author. He wrote over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction. Many of his stories were for young adult readers, like you!
Some of his most famous books include The Cay, The Weirdo, and Timothy of the Cay. The Weirdo even won a special award called the Edgar Award in 1992 for being the best young adult mystery.
Theodore Taylor passed away on October 26, 2006, in Laguna Beach, California. He left behind a wonderful collection of stories for readers to enjoy.
Contents
The Life of Theodore Taylor
Early Years and a Love for Writing
Theodore Taylor was born in Statesville, North Carolina. He lived there until he was 10 years old. Later, his family moved to Craddock, North Carolina.
He was very eager to start his writing career. At just 17, he left high school to become a writer. This showed his strong passion for storytelling from a young age.
Serving His Country and Starting His Career
During World War II, Theodore Taylor served in the United States Navy. He also served in the United States Merchant Marines. These experiences likely gave him many ideas for his future books.
After the war, Taylor worked in the American film industry. He was a publicist, helping to promote movies. In his free time, he continued to write. At first, he wrote stories for adults. However, everything changed when he wrote The Cay. This book made him a popular author for young readers.
Exploring His Books
The Cay: A Story of Friendship and Understanding
The Cay is one of Theodore Taylor's most loved books for young adults. He wrote this powerful story in just three weeks! It has sold about four million copies worldwide.
The story is about a young boy who finds himself stranded on an island with an older Black man. The boy initially holds unfair ideas about people based on their race. However, as they face challenges together, he learns to respect and admire the man who saved him. This is especially true after the boy loses his eyesight.
The book sparked important discussions about its themes of understanding and respect. It teaches readers to look beyond differences and appreciate everyone's worth.
Timothy of the Cay: Continuing the Adventure
In 1993, Theodore Taylor wrote a follow-up to The Cay. This book was called Timothy of the Cay. It tells more about the character Timothy's life before he met the boy, Phillip.
The story also shares what happened to Phillip after he was rescued. It gives readers a deeper look into the lives of these memorable characters.
Other Exciting Stories
Theodore Taylor wrote many other exciting books. One of his works, The Maldonado Miracle, was even made into a film. The movie starred the famous actress Salma Hayek.
Another adventure story by Taylor is called Rogue Wave. He also wrote The Weirdo, which won the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. These books show his talent for creating thrilling and engaging tales.
