About Kathryn Erskine
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I grew up in Europe, Africa, Canada, and the United States, and was a lawyer before I figured out what I really wanted to be when I grew up—a writer! I take my inspiration from the world around me and from my personal experiences, including my childhood attending 8 schools. Learn more on my Bio page.
I travel a fair amount (although these days it's on Zoom), give speeches, "visit" schools, etc. and try keep up my website in between. Writing time is precious -- I'm currently working on several novels: middle grade, young adult, and even adult, and some picture books. My new novel is LILY'S PROMISE (Quill Tree/HarperCollins, May 2021), and there are two upcoming picture books: ALL OF US (Philomel/Penguin, May 2021) and MY DAD'S A DJ with Keith Henry Brown, illustrator and co-author (Farrar, Straus & Giroux/MacMillan, Summer 2021). Click on the book jackets, above, for more info! |
Lately...
May 3, 2021 -- ALL OF US arrived!!
May 3, 2021
This little bird always makes me smile. It takes me back to Edinburgh, Scotland as a kid, where Puffins were the first novels I bought with my own pocket money—before Puffin was even a Penguin imprint in the U.S. On rare occasions, I was even allowed to walk up to Princes Street myself and march into a bookstore or other shop that sold books, like John Menzies (pronounced Ming-ess), where I sucked in the new book smell and poured out my coins at the register. I didn’t need any positive reinforcement to read but it still felt good to hear adults whispering after me, “Och, she’s a clever one, that wee titch.” Or I’d run down Circus Place, across the Waters of Leith and into the second hand shops in Stockbridge, where my coins went further, though the books didn’t have the tell-tale fresh scent or make that spinal crack revealing that you were the first one to open this particular treasure.
I started with E. Nesbitt (Five Children and It) and every Enid Blyton book I could get my hands on, to my mother’s chagrin. “It’s the same formula,” she said, “Children go off on an adventure by themselves and come home again.” My response: “Exactly!” I moved on to Arthur Ransome (more children going on adventures by themselves) and, as I left junior school, Richard Adams’s Watership Down. In those days, there wasn’t much of a “young adult” genre so I quickly moved up to Penguins with Nevil Shute and Agatha Christie, which were all over our bookshelves at home.
I’m grateful Penguin has been around for as long a I can remember, that I had such great access to books, and that I was given the freedom to read whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted (except for the occasional, “Turn that light off and go to sleep!”). I never dreamed I’d be an author one day, that I’d have that little bird on something I wrote myself. Hopefully, there’s another wee titch out there who’s enjoying these Penguin books as much as I did.
Thank you and hugs to Alexandra Boiger for her breathtaking illustrations in All of Us, to Jill Santopolo, Talia Benamy, and the whole Philomel/Penguin team for publishing this book, and to my agent, Linda Pratt, for patiently shepherding me, and my manuscripts, through the publishing process. I hope you enjoy All of Us, and that you have a chance to share it with your favorite wee titch.
This little bird always makes me smile. It takes me back to Edinburgh, Scotland as a kid, where Puffins were the first novels I bought with my own pocket money—before Puffin was even a Penguin imprint in the U.S. On rare occasions, I was even allowed to walk up to Princes Street myself and march into a bookstore or other shop that sold books, like John Menzies (pronounced Ming-ess), where I sucked in the new book smell and poured out my coins at the register. I didn’t need any positive reinforcement to read but it still felt good to hear adults whispering after me, “Och, she’s a clever one, that wee titch.” Or I’d run down Circus Place, across the Waters of Leith and into the second hand shops in Stockbridge, where my coins went further, though the books didn’t have the tell-tale fresh scent or make that spinal crack revealing that you were the first one to open this particular treasure.
I started with E. Nesbitt (Five Children and It) and every Enid Blyton book I could get my hands on, to my mother’s chagrin. “It’s the same formula,” she said, “Children go off on an adventure by themselves and come home again.” My response: “Exactly!” I moved on to Arthur Ransome (more children going on adventures by themselves) and, as I left junior school, Richard Adams’s Watership Down. In those days, there wasn’t much of a “young adult” genre so I quickly moved up to Penguins with Nevil Shute and Agatha Christie, which were all over our bookshelves at home.
I’m grateful Penguin has been around for as long a I can remember, that I had such great access to books, and that I was given the freedom to read whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted (except for the occasional, “Turn that light off and go to sleep!”). I never dreamed I’d be an author one day, that I’d have that little bird on something I wrote myself. Hopefully, there’s another wee titch out there who’s enjoying these Penguin books as much as I did.
Thank you and hugs to Alexandra Boiger for her breathtaking illustrations in All of Us, to Jill Santopolo, Talia Benamy, and the whole Philomel/Penguin team for publishing this book, and to my agent, Linda Pratt, for patiently shepherding me, and my manuscripts, through the publishing process. I hope you enjoy All of Us, and that you have a chance to share it with your favorite wee titch.
April 26, 2021 -- So excited to announce book launches for ALL OF US (Philomel) and LILY'S PROMISE (Quill Tree) in May!
Tuesday, May 18, 7:00 pm: One More Page Books, Arlington, VA — focusing on All of Us (picture book)
**With award-winning author and long-time friend and mentor, Mary Quattlebaum
Friday, May 21, 6:30 pm: RJ Julia Bookstore, Madison, CT — focusing on Lily’s Promise (novel)
Tuesday, May 25, 6:00 pm: Books of Wonder, New York, NY — focusing on Lily’s Promise (novel)
**With award-winning novelist, Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Tuesday, May 18, 7:00 pm: One More Page Books, Arlington, VA — focusing on All of Us (picture book)
**With award-winning author and long-time friend and mentor, Mary Quattlebaum
Friday, May 21, 6:30 pm: RJ Julia Bookstore, Madison, CT — focusing on Lily’s Promise (novel)
Tuesday, May 25, 6:00 pm: Books of Wonder, New York, NY — focusing on Lily’s Promise (novel)
**With award-winning novelist, Catherine Gilbert Murdock
March 14, 2021:
Here is a marvelous video book review of LILY'S PROMISE from a young reader -- thank you so much, Val!
Here is a marvelous video book review of LILY'S PROMISE from a young reader -- thank you so much, Val!
February 14, 2021 -- Happy Valentine's Day!
Check out the BAM (Books, Art and Music) Festival in West Palm Beach, FL (online) at www.bamwpb.org on April 10th (the main day, with more events on the preceding Thursday and Friday). I'm joining a panel and will put more on my Workshops/Events page when I have the details!
Check out the BAM (Books, Art and Music) Festival in West Palm Beach, FL (online) at www.bamwpb.org on April 10th (the main day, with more events on the preceding Thursday and Friday). I'm joining a panel and will put more on my Workshops/Events page when I have the details!
December 18, 2020
What a year! I'm looking forward to 2021 with THREE new books publishing: Lily's Promise (novel) and All of Us (picture book) both on May 18, 2021, and a little later in the year, My Dad's a DJ with co-author and illustrator Keith Henry Brown!
Please check back for updates!
What a year! I'm looking forward to 2021 with THREE new books publishing: Lily's Promise (novel) and All of Us (picture book) both on May 18, 2021, and a little later in the year, My Dad's a DJ with co-author and illustrator Keith Henry Brown!
Please check back for updates!
December 17, 2020
TWO workshops coming up -- I have really missed teaching and connecting with other writers. I hope you'll join me in one of these classes. The first is open to all; the second is more advanced (i.e., you've completed or almost completed the book but are stuck and/or want to make it as powerful as it can be). See details below and on my WORKSHOPS/EVENTS page!
TWO workshops coming up -- I have really missed teaching and connecting with other writers. I hope you'll join me in one of these classes. The first is open to all; the second is more advanced (i.e., you've completed or almost completed the book but are stuck and/or want to make it as powerful as it can be). See details below and on my WORKSHOPS/EVENTS page!
September 25, 2019
Thanks to Ezvid Wiki, the world's first video wiki, for including The Incredible Magic of Being as #4 in its 10 Enthralling Middle Grade Reads where Reality and Fantasy Collide. (Check out the other books on the list, too!)
Thanks to Ezvid Wiki, the world's first video wiki, for including The Incredible Magic of Being as #4 in its 10 Enthralling Middle Grade Reads where Reality and Fantasy Collide. (Check out the other books on the list, too!)
March 12, 2019
Here's an interview with The Writer's Story!
Here's an interview with The Writer's Story!
April 17, 2018
On a day I'm visiting a school I always wake up smiling. It's a gift. A chance to connect with at least one child, hopefully many, whether it's about writing or reading or, more importantly, making them feel heard, cared for, and important. It's a job teachers, librarians and administrators do every single day, but for an author it's a special occasion. Today, as I was leaving a school, a young man (7th grader) saw me -- "Oh! It's you!" -- and ran over to shake my hand. "Thank you for coming and thank you for answering our questions." Wincing a little, he said, "I know not everyone was listening, but most of us were." He shook my hand again, saying, "Thank you for inspiring us."
Often it's me who receives the gift of feeling heard, cared for, and important. That's one of the many reasons we authors love school visits. Thank you.
On a day I'm visiting a school I always wake up smiling. It's a gift. A chance to connect with at least one child, hopefully many, whether it's about writing or reading or, more importantly, making them feel heard, cared for, and important. It's a job teachers, librarians and administrators do every single day, but for an author it's a special occasion. Today, as I was leaving a school, a young man (7th grader) saw me -- "Oh! It's you!" -- and ran over to shake my hand. "Thank you for coming and thank you for answering our questions." Wincing a little, he said, "I know not everyone was listening, but most of us were." He shook my hand again, saying, "Thank you for inspiring us."
Often it's me who receives the gift of feeling heard, cared for, and important. That's one of the many reasons we authors love school visits. Thank you.
April 11, 2018
Golden Shovel Review of Richard Peck's THE BEST MAN
"Boys aren’t too interested in weddings. Girls like them."
Who knows what boys
are into and aren’t
You might be surprised, too
because some are interested
in friendships with girls, joy in the family, love between gay uncles and teachers, even in
gay uncles’ and teachers’ weddings
so there are boys, not just girls
who like
to bring love to friends, family, and even to them
Golden Shovel Review of Richard Peck's THE BEST MAN
"Boys aren’t too interested in weddings. Girls like them."
Who knows what boys
are into and aren’t
You might be surprised, too
because some are interested
in friendships with girls, joy in the family, love between gay uncles and teachers, even in
gay uncles’ and teachers’ weddings
so there are boys, not just girls
who like
to bring love to friends, family, and even to them
March 7, 2018
Virginia Festival of the Book! Come join us in Charlottesville! There are so many events and I'm happy to be on one of the panels with David Barclay Moore (THE STARS BENEATH OUR FEET) and Alan Gratz (REFUGEE) to talk about THE INCREDIBLE MAGIC OF BEING as we discuss Making Sense of the World through middle grade fiction at the Village School on Saturday, March 24th, from 12 - 1:30 pm.
Virginia Festival of the Book! Come join us in Charlottesville! There are so many events and I'm happy to be on one of the panels with David Barclay Moore (THE STARS BENEATH OUR FEET) and Alan Gratz (REFUGEE) to talk about THE INCREDIBLE MAGIC OF BEING as we discuss Making Sense of the World through middle grade fiction at the Village School on Saturday, March 24th, from 12 - 1:30 pm.
March 7, 2018
Golden Shovel Review of THE FREEMASON'S DAUGHTER by Shelley Sackier
"He will never see my side of the story." In this case, I took the 1st line of the 2nd chapter because the first chapter starts with the character’s name and I wanted something more generic.
Review:
Crackling historical adventure / romance, she and he
from warring Scotland and England, but will
they cross over or never
see eye to eye, see
that your, my
and our side
can come together of
our own free will, like The
Freemason’s Daughter, a teen Outlander story
Golden Shovel Review of THE FREEMASON'S DAUGHTER by Shelley Sackier
"He will never see my side of the story." In this case, I took the 1st line of the 2nd chapter because the first chapter starts with the character’s name and I wanted something more generic.
Review:
Crackling historical adventure / romance, she and he
from warring Scotland and England, but will
they cross over or never
see eye to eye, see
that your, my
and our side
can come together of
our own free will, like The
Freemason’s Daughter, a teen Outlander story
January 31, 2018
Initiative for 2018 -- Golden Shovel Book Reviews, based on the poetic form created by Terrance Hayes. Here's how it works...
Take a line from the book and write a poem where each consecutive word in the sentence ends the line, e.g., "I am a coward," the first sentence of Elizabeth Wein's CODE NAME VERITY would be a 4-line poem, the first line ending in "I," the second line ending in "am," etc.
First up: LONG WAY DOWN by Jason Reynolds
Line from the first page (last stanzas of the first verse): This story is true / It happened to me / Really / It did / It so did
My poem/review:
The heart of this, the reality, feels achingly true
What might we be faced with, you and me?
Depends on our circumstances, and choices, really
A lurching, gut-wrenching elevator ride about what one person, many people, did
Now, what will this kid (or you or me) do, and how will he (or we) look back on what he did?
Initiative for 2018 -- Golden Shovel Book Reviews, based on the poetic form created by Terrance Hayes. Here's how it works...
Take a line from the book and write a poem where each consecutive word in the sentence ends the line, e.g., "I am a coward," the first sentence of Elizabeth Wein's CODE NAME VERITY would be a 4-line poem, the first line ending in "I," the second line ending in "am," etc.
First up: LONG WAY DOWN by Jason Reynolds
Line from the first page (last stanzas of the first verse): This story is true / It happened to me / Really / It did / It so did
My poem/review:
The heart of this, the reality, feels achingly true
What might we be faced with, you and me?
Depends on our circumstances, and choices, really
A lurching, gut-wrenching elevator ride about what one person, many people, did
Now, what will this kid (or you or me) do, and how will he (or we) look back on what he did?
January 15, 2018
Thanks to Kristen Flowers of KOIT for interviewing me on her podcast!
Thanks to Kristen Flowers of KOIT for interviewing me on her podcast!
November 13, 2017
If you haven't received one in the mail, here's a link to the Discussion Guide for The Incredible Magic of Being!
If you haven't received one in the mail, here's a link to the Discussion Guide for The Incredible Magic of Being!
October 10, 2017
Today I had twins! It's the book birthday of The Incredible Magic of Being and my first picture book, Mama Africa! How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with her Song. I hope you enjoy them both as much as I enjoyed researching and writing them!
Today I had twins! It's the book birthday of The Incredible Magic of Being and my first picture book, Mama Africa! How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with her Song. I hope you enjoy them both as much as I enjoyed researching and writing them!
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September 18, 2017
My favorite review line for THE INCREDIBLE MAGIC OF BEING (from School Library Journal): "Julian's distinctive narration, awash in supernatural perceptions as well as a nine-year-old's natural misconceptions, is a tour de force....Touching contemporary magical realism, with a final twist that truly surprises." |
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September 18, 2017
STARRED REVIEW for MAMA AFRICA! From Kirkus: "An excellent perspective from which American readers can learn about apartheid and one of the pioneers who fought it through her art." Also, illustrator Charly Palmer's artwork for MAMA AFRICA has been accepted by the Society of Illustrators for their "The Original Art" exhibit, highlighting the best artwork for children's books, 2017. Congratulations, Charly! |
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December 2, 2016
So thrilled to announce my new novel, THE INCREDIBLE MAGIC OF BEING! Publishing Fall 2017 (Scholastic) It's what happens when you take a boy named Julian, his anxiety, a telescope, a treehouse, a life jacket, a Styrofoam boat, s'mores, even a statue of the BVM (as Julian would say, "Look it up"), and shake them up with a lot of personalities ... they turn into what I hope is great ride. Short version: Like MOCKINGBIRD, only funny. http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/72157-rights-report-week-of-november-28-2016.html |
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May 1, 2016
Schools looking for class sets or multiple copies, paperbacks of SEEING RED are available through Scholastic here: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/save-books-order-your-visiting-authors-work!
Schools looking for class sets or multiple copies, paperbacks of SEEING RED are available through Scholastic here: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/save-books-order-your-visiting-authors-work!
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December 1, 2015
Mockingbird -- or Passarinha in Brazilian Portuguese -- is being made into a play in Brazil! I'll actually be there in a couple of months but will miss the production, scheduled for September 2016. I'm thrilled and honored, though. Thank you, Sao Paulo! |
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August 29, 2015
Thanks, Scholastic for featuring me in the "Author Spotlight" for Seeing Red and The Badger Knight!
Thanks, Scholastic for featuring me in the "Author Spotlight" for Seeing Red and The Badger Knight!
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July 3, 2015
Mama Africa, my first picture book, is a go! Here's the blurb from Publishers Weekly: Grace Kendall at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has bought Mockingbird author Kathryn Erskine's debut picture book, Mama Africa, to be illustrated by Charly Palmer, also a debut. The book tells the story of Grammy Award-winning South African singer and civil-rights activist Miriam Makeba, who brought global attention to the injustice of apartheid through her music while in exile. Publication is tentatively set for 2017; Linda Pratt at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the author; the illustrator represented himself. I can't wait to share her story -- and to see the stunning illustrations from Charly Palmer! |
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July 3, 2015
Thanks to the Fairfax Network, here's my appearance on the Meet the Author show! There are clips about my research for Mockingbird and how I overcome writer's block, as well as info about the Mockingbird play and links to study guides for Mockingbird and Seeing Red. |
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