Janice Jordan Shefelman

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Janice Jordan Shefelman
Born1930 (age 93–94)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
OccupationWriter, novelist
LanguageEnglish
GenreFiction, children's fiction
Notable worksI, Vivaldi
Notable awardsNew York Public Library Best Book for the Teen Age, Children's Book Council Notable Book, Reading Rainbow Book, International Reading Association Children's Choices.
SpouseTom Shefelman
Website
shefelmanbooks.com

Janice Jordan Shefelman (born 1930) is an American writer,[1] best known for her children's book I, Vivaldi, based upon the life of Antonio Vivaldi and illustrated by her husband, Tom Shefelman.[2]

Shefelman grew up in Dallas, Texas near the Southern Methodist University, where her father taught German classes.[3] She claims her passion for books started when her father read to her when she was young. She had a career as a librarian, teacher, and her current profession, a writer. During an interview with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, she states they wrote and illustrated their first story when they were five years old. After attending college at Southern Methodist University, she spent an entire summer bicycling around Europe and another traveling through North America, and the Middle East. When she married Tom, her current husband and illustrator, they went on a trip around the world, living in a buddhist Temple for a while. During her voyage, she wrote articles for newspapers and magazines, for which her partner Illustrated. They then returned a year later and bought a home in Austin Texas. Her career kicked off when her first published book, A Paradise Called Texas, appeared on the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List. She had two sons, Karl, and Dan, who illustrated some of her books. She currently devotes her full time to writing.

Reception[edit]

Critical reception for Shefelman's work has been predominantly positive,[4][5] with Kirkus Reviews calling I, Vivaldi "fetching".[6]

Bibliography[edit]

  • A Paradise Called Texas (1983)
  • Willow Creek Home (1985)
  • Spirit of Iron (1987)
  • Victoria House (1988)
  • A Mare for Young Wolf (1993)
  • Young Wolf's First Hunt (1995)
  • Young Wolf and Spirit Horse (1997)
  • A Peddler's Dream (1999)[7][8]
  • Comanche Song (2000)[9]
  • Son of Spirit Horse (2004)
  • Sophie's War (2006)
  • I, Vivaldi (2008)[10][11]
  • Anna Maria's Gift (2010)[12][13]
  • Honeymoon Hobos (2011)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Preschool to Grade 4". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  2. ^ Bush, Elizabeth (March 2008). "I, Vivaldi". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 61 (7). Baltimore: 306–307. doi:10.1353/bcc.2008.0179. S2CID 143952297.
  3. ^ "Member Interview: Tom and Janice Shefelman". Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Texas for Beginners". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Review: Anna Maria's Gift". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Review: I, Vivaldi". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Dreams for children". Austin American-Statesman. October 4, 1992. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Review: A Peddler's Dream". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  9. ^ Review: Comanche Song. Booklist. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Children's Review: I, Vivaldi". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  11. ^ "I, Vivaldi.(Children's review)(Book review)". Children's Bookwatch. April 2008.
  12. ^ Review: Anna Maria's Gift. Booklist. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  13. ^ "Shefelman, Janice: Anna Maria's Gift". The Horn Book Guide to Children's and Young Adult Books. 21 (2): 327. 2010.