Ellen Schwartz
Ellen Schwartz is a Canadian author known for her children's books, which span picture books, chapter books, middle-grade fiction, and young adult novels. She has also written adult non-fiction. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a special education teacher and an environmental educator. Schwartz has a Bachelor of Science in special education and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. Her work often explores themes of identity, social justice, and history. She has also written about music and has a memoir about her experiences living on a commune. She was born in Washington, D.C., and moved to Canada in 1972, where she currently resides in British Columbia. She passed away in May 2013.
Awards
['Diamond Foundation Prize for Children/Youth Literature', 'Vine Award for Canadian Jewish Literature (nominated)', 'Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People (nominated)', 'Silver Birch Fiction Award (nominated)', 'Diamond Willow Award (nominated)', 'Rocky Mountain Book Award (winner)', 'Red Cedar Book Award (nominated)', 'VOYA Top Shelf Book', 'John Spray Mystery Award (nominated)', "Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award (nominated)", 'Western Canada Jewish Book Award (winner)', 'Canadian Library Association Notable Book', 'Our Choice recognition', 'Chocolate Lily Award (nominated)', 'Silver Birch Express Award (nominated)']
Notable Works
['The Princess Dolls', 'Heart of a Champion', 'The Case of the Missing Deed', 'Stealing Home', "Jesse's Star", 'Starshine series', 'Galena Bay Odyssey: Reflections of a Hippie Homesteader']
