Valerie Sherrard facts for kids

Valerie Anne Sherrard, born Valerie Anne Russell on May 16, 1957, is a Canadian author. She writes many exciting books for children and young adults. Some of her well-known novels include The Glory Wind, Kate, and Speechless. She also wrote the popular Shelby Belgarden mystery series.

Valerie Sherrard's Early Life and Inspiration

Valerie Sherrard was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her parents were Bob and Pauline Russell. She grew up in different places across Canada. Valerie has two brothers, Danny and Andrew. When she was in sixth grade, living in Lahr, West Germany, her teacher, Alf Lower, really inspired her. He helped her dream of becoming a writer.

Valerie Sherrard's Writing Career and Awards

Valerie Sherrard has written many books that have won awards. Her novel, The Glory Wind, won the Geoffrey Bilson Award in 2011. It also won the Ann Connor Brimer Award. This book was also considered for other big awards, like the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.

Her novel Counting Back from Nine was written in a special style called free verse. This book was nominated for a Governor General's Award in 2013. This award is one of Canada's highest honors for writers.

Valerie Sherrard has also written fun picture books for younger children. There's a Cow Under my Bed was illustrated by David Jardine. Another book, Miss Wondergem's Dreadfully Dreadful Pie, was illustrated by Wendy J. Whittingham.

In 2007, she wrote a historical novel called Three Million Acres of Flame. This book tells the story of the 1825 Miramichi Fire. This fire was the biggest land fire ever recorded in North American history.

Valerie Sherrard's Personal Life

Valerie Sherrard lives in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada. Her husband, Brent, is also an author. Before becoming a full-time writer, Valerie was in charge of a group home for teenagers. She has three children of her own. She also helped care for about seventy foster teenagers over the years.

Selected Books by Valerie Sherrard

Here are some of the books Valerie Sherrard has written:

Picture and Chapter Books

• There's a COW Under my Bed!, Tuckamore Books, 2008, Illustrated by David Jardine
• There's a GOLDFISH in My Shoe!, Tuckamore Books, 2009, Illustrated by David Jardine
• Miss Wondergem's Dreadfully Dreadful Pie, Tuckamore Books, 2011, Illustrated by Wendy J Whittingham
• Down Here, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2015, Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
• Cooper Clark and the Dragon Lady, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2019, Illustrated by David Jardine

Novels for Middle Graders and Young Adults

• Kate, Dundurn, 2003
• Sam's Light, Dundurn, 2004
• Sarah's Legacy, Dundurn, 2006
• Speechless, Dundurn, 2007
• Three Million Acres of Flame, Dundurn, 2007
• Watcher, Dundurn, 2009
• Tumbleweed Skies, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2009
• The Glory Wind, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2010
• Accomplice, Dundurn, 2011
• Testify, Dundurn, 2011
• Counting Back from Nine, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2012
• Driftwood, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2013
• Rain Shadow, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2014
• Random Acts, PenguinRandomHouse Canada, 2015
• The Rise and Fall of Derek Cowell, DCB, 2020
• Birdspell, DCB, 2021
• A Bend in the Breeze, DCB, 2022
• Standing on Neptune, DCB, 2023

The Shelby Belgarden Mystery Series

• Out of the Ashes, Dundurn, 2002
• In Too Deep, Dundurn, 2003
• Chasing Shadows, Dundurn, 2004
• Hiding in Plain Sight, Dundurn, 2005
• Eyes of a Stalker, Dundurn, 2006
• Searching for Yesterday, Dundurn, 2008

Non-fiction Books

• More than Words: Navigating the Complex World of Communication, DCB, 2023 With Natalie Hyde, Artwork by David Jardine