Kelly Starling Lyons
Kelly Starling Lyons | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Author |
| Nationality | American |
| Genre | Children's books |
| Website | |
| www | |
Kelly Starling Lyons is a writer and children's book author.[1] She is also one of the founding members of the blog The Brown Bookshelf, which is aimed at young African-American readers and features book reviews and author and illustrator interviews.
Personal
Lyons was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a high school student, Lyons loved the works of Richard Wright, James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry and set a goal to be an author.[1]
As an adult, she read the book Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, which was the first time she had seen an African-American girl featured on the cover of a picture book. This inspired her to start writing fiction books for children that would feature African-American lead characters.[1]
Lyons makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina.[2]
Lyons attended Syracuse University, where she earned a B.A. in African-American Studies, as well as her M.S. in Magazine Journalism. She has since worked for Ebony Magazine, The News & Observer, and the Syracuse Herald-Journal.[3]
Books
Lyons’ has written five books for children, which focus on aspects of African American history and culture.[1]
- NEATE: Eddie’s Ordeal, a title in their NEATE chapter book series, tells the story of relationship between a thirteen-year-old African-American boy who loves to play basketball and his civil rights veteran dad.
- One Million Men and Me was published by Just Us Books in 2007. Illustrated by Peter Ambush, it was inspired by her memories of attending the Million Man March.[4][5]
- Hope's Gift, illustrated by Don Tate, celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
- Teacakes for Tosh was illustrated by E. B. Lewis.
- Ellen’s Broom, illustrated by Daniel Minter, was inspired by a document that author saw while researching family history in Rockingham County, NC and Henry County, VA.
References
- ^ a b c d Gillis, Stacy (February 20, 2013). "Author Kelly Starling Lyons says family struggles reflected in her books". The Fayetteville Observer.
- ^ "27 Views of Raleigh". News Observer. September 1, 2013.
- ^ https://www.alibris.com/search/books/author/Kelly-Starling-Lyons
- ^ "Each One Teach One: Interview with Kelly Starling Lyons". Writer Metamorphosis. June 16, 2012.
- ^ "Interview with Kelly Starling Lyons". Blogcritics.org. August 12, 2011.