Sarah Ellis

 

 

By Samantha, 10
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School
Ottawa, Ontario

Biography:

Sarah Ellis was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 19, 1952. The youngest of three, Ellis liked to play imaginary games and tell stories. As reading was a family activity in her home, Ellis learned to read at an early age. By giving her books, Ellis' parents encouraged her love of literature. As well as writing, Ellis had some other interests. Like Polly, the main character of her book Pick-Up Sticks, Ellis played the French horn. She had so many interests before she started writing and did not envision herself as a writer. But we are glad she finally decided to write as her books are stupendous.

After completing a Bachelors of Arts program at the University of British Columbia in 1984, she still was not sure what career she would like to have. She decided to go to UBC's Library School when a friend started to attend. Ellis really enjoyed her studies, and planned to become a professional librarian. But after working for a while as one, she went after a Masters degree in children's literature. She went to Simmons College (in Boston) to get it.

Why she became a writer:

Sarah Ellis loved story telling even when she was young. Her studies and instructors at Simmons College encouraged writing as part of the program. After completing her degree in 1980, she went to the North Vancouver District Library to continue her work as a librarian and also write books.

Types of books:

Ellis likes to write books about children. She says she writes about the adolescent years because she is interested in the period of change from child to adult. Read a review written by me of her book Dear Canada: A Prairie as Wide as the Sea.

Achievements/Awards:

In 1992 Sarah Ellis won the Governor  General's Literary Award / Children's Literature ( for best text ) for Pick-Up Sticks. In 1987 she won the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Book Prize for The Baby Project. In 1994 she won the Mr. Christie's Book Award ( for best English book age 12 and over ) for Out of the Blue. Out of the Blue also won her the National Chapter of Canada I.O.D.E. Violet Downey Book Award in 1995. 1995 was the year she won the Vicky Metcalf Award ( for an author's body of work ).

Sources:

http://collections.ic.gc.ca/ggawards/sellis.htm
http://www..nlc-bnc.ca/read-up-on-it/t11-6034-e.html
Photo: http://collections.ic.gc.ca/ggawards/sellis.htm