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Bio

Sara Pennypacker is the New York Times best-selling author of more than two dozen children’s books, including The Lions’ Run, Pax and Pax, Journey Home, the Clementine series; the Waylon series, Leeva at Last, Summer of the Gypsy Moths, Here in the Real World, Sparrow Girl, Pierre in Love, Meet the Dullards and The Amazing World of Stuart. She has also contributed four books to the venerable Flat Stanley series.

Her books have won numerous awards, including a Golden Kite Award and a Christopher’s Medal, many children’s choice state awards, and have appeared on many ‘Best Books’ lists. She was a painter before becoming a writer, and has two absolutely fabulous children who are now grown. She grew up in Massachusetts and splits her time between Cape Cod and California.

Often asked “why do you write for children?” she explains that first, books can make a profound difference to a young reader: they can either mirror his/her experience in a way that says, “Look, you’re already a member of the human tribe! Welcome!” or they can open up a whole different path “Look how wide and deep the world is! Go explore!” I like being a part of that.

Second, because young readers are a better audience than adult readers. They care more about every detail, and that makes it more satisfying to do a good job.

Finally, because of the connection triangle: With both adult and children’s books, authors really connect with their characters, and readers really connect with them, too. But authors are connected to young readers in a way they aren’t to adult readers and that’s lovely. I care a lot about how the world treats children, and it is an honor to be able to write their stories.