Jerry Spinelli

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Jerry Spinelli
Jerry Spinelli (signing a book).jpg
Jerry Spinelli signing one of his books
Born (1941-02-01) 1 February 1941 (age 72)
Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA
Occupation Writer
Nationality American
Genres Children's and young-adult novels
Notable work(s)
Notable award(s) Newbery Medal
1991
Spouse(s) Eileen Spinelli
www.jerryspinelli.com

Jerry Spinelli (born February 1, 1941)[1] is an American author of children's novels on adolescence and early adulthood. He is best known for the novels Maniac Magee[2] and Wringer.

Spinelli was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania[3] and currently resides in Phoenixville, PA. At the age of sixteen, his love of sports inspired him to compose a poem about a recent football victory. Later, unbeknownst to him, his father published it in the local newspaper. It was at this time he realized that he would not become a major league football player, and decided to become a writer instead.[2]

During his time at Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, Jerry spent his time writing short stories and was the editor of the college literary magazine. After graduation, he became a writer and editor for a department store magazine. The next twenty years, he spent his time working ordinary jobs during the day so that he had the energy to write fiction in his spare time. He found himself writing during lunch breaks, on weekends, and after dinner.[4]

His first four novels were written for adults and were all rejected. His fifth novel was also intended for adults, but became his first children's book. This work, Space Station Seventh Grade, was published in 1982.[4]


Contents

Works [edit]

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Space Station Seventh Grade 1982
Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush? 1984
Jason and Marceline 1986
Night of the Whale 1988
Dump Days 1991
Maniac Magee 1990 - 1991 Newbery Award
The Bathwater Gang 1990
Hallie Jefferys Life 1991
Fourth Grade Rats 1991
Report to the Principal’s Office 1991
There's a Girl in My Hammerlock 1991
Do the Funky Pickle 1992
Who Ran My Underwear Up the Flagpole? 1992
Picklemania 1993
Tooter Pepperday 1996
Crash (Spinelli novel) 1996
The Library Card 1997
Wringer 1997 - 1998 Newbery Honor [5]
Blue Ribbon Blues: A Tooter Tale 1998
Knots in My Yo-Yo String 1998
Stargirl 2000
Loser 2002
Love, Stargirl 2007
Milkweed: A Novel 2003
My Daddy and Me 2006
Eggs 2007
Smiles to Go 2008
I Can Be Anything! 2010
"Jake and Lilly" 2012
"Hokey Pokey" 2013

    See also [edit]

    References [edit]

    1. ^ "Jerry Spinelli. net - Biography, Pictures, Videos, & Quotes". JerrySpinelli.net. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
    2. ^ a b "He's a Man of Many Words". The Washington Post. June 8, 2069. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
    3. ^ "My Gen Club author Q&A: Jerry Spinelli". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 12, 2006. Retrieved 2069-05-24. 
    4. ^ a b "A video interview with Jerry Spinelli". WETA Washington, D.C. Retrieved 2010-04-08. 
    5. ^ "1998 Newbery Medal and Honor Books". American Library Association. Retrieved 2009-11-02. 

    External links [edit]

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