Deborah Hopkinson is the award-winning author of picture books, nonfiction works, and longer fiction that include Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, winner of the IRA Award; Sky Boys, How They Built the Empire State Building, an ALA Notable and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor winner; Apples to Oregon, an ALA Notable and winner of the Golden Kite Award; and Shutting out the Sky, an NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor winner. A frequent presenter on historical fiction, the writing and research process, and how to engage young people in history, she is primarily available for conference presentations for teachers and librarians. She lives in Corvallis, Oregon. Deborah offers those interested more information on lesson plans and classroom activities linked to her books.
Selected Reviews of Deborah's Books
Apples To Oregon : Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains
Deborah Hopkinson
Hold onto your hats and prepare for the "slightly true" story about how a very determined man had the "most daring adventure in the history of fruit." It was quite simple really; the narrator's daddy loved his fruit trees (especially the apples) so much that when it was decided that the family should travel to Oregon from their home in Iowa, he made plans to take hundred of his beloved trees with him. Thus it was that this extraordinary man and his family set off across the country with two covered wagons, one of which was filled with fruit trees. For the children it was a grand adventure, living like pioneers and sleeping under the stars. Of course, there was more than the usual number of problems to overcome. How, for example, was one to get the "nursery wagon" across the great Platte River? Daddy found a way, but it was his brave and generous children who made the feat possible. In fact daddy's family go through a great deal for those trees and one cannot help admiring them for their dedication to daddy's cause. A tall tale that is based on a true story, this book is sure to entertain the whole family. Fast paced and full of spirited oil paintings, it is perfect for reading aloud. In the back of the book, the author describes the real man who brought seven hundred plants and young fruit trees from Salem, Iowa to a farm just south of Portland, Oregon. 2004, Atheneum, $15.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber (Children's Literature).
Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building
Deborah Hopkinson
This interesting picture book tells the story of the building of the Empire State Building in New York through free verse. While poetry and rhyme is not unusual in picture books, in this one, it creates a different feel as it shifts from 3rd person (omniscient) to 2nd person focus (through the eyes of a young boy). The illustrations use vivid color with blurred details to create a sense of the immensity of the building, from its incarnation to its completion. The focus on the "Sky Boys," those men who actually walked around on the girders, provides the tension and the adventure of the story, but the author nicely balances this with the more challenging issue of out-of-work men who were willing to put their lives on the line--literally--to get a job. A final "Note about the Story" provides additional details that avid readers will certainly want to know after reading this book. This picture book is a definite winner. 2006, Schwartz & Wade Books/Random House, $16.99. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Jean Boreen, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
Sailing for Gold
Deborah Hopkinson
David ("Davey") Hill is an 11-year-old boy living in Seattle in July 1897--the time of the Klondike River gold rush. He is an orphan staying at Mrs. Tinker's rooming house, where he had lived with his mother before she died. Davey is saving the nickels and dimes he makes carrying bags for people arriving in town. His dream is to save enough money to book passage to Alaska and find his Uncle Walt. Davey is an honest kid with boundless energy and a single-minded focus. Readers will find it easy to imagine themselves right there in Seattle alongside Davey during this exciting time in America's history. The vivid writing and excellent dialogue bring the characters to life. The author captures the sights and sounds of a heady period, when hundreds left families and jobs in search of gold and instant wealth. Davey faces several obstacles as he tries to achieve his goal. Readers will identify with and cheer him on. This title is the first book in a trilogy about the Klondike Kid. Readers will eagerly take up the second and third books to see how Davey fares in his quest. This book is also one in the publisher's "Ready-for-Chapters" series. 2004, Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster, $3.99. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Jeanne K. Pettenati, J.D. (Children's Literature).
Conference presentations for teachers, librarians and parents are often focused on history and research. The importance of historical literacy is one aspect of the presentation with ideas for using historical fiction as well as nonfiction with young readers.
Events including students are interactive and fun. When she is able to travel by car (within range of Corvallis OR) she brings antique kitchen utensils, a bluebird box and a replica of the quilt from Sweet Clara’s story—providing hands-on participation for the students.
Power points sessions (up to 4 per day) for K-8th grade with each session aproximately 45 minutes long—shorter for K-1—shows how she does research for her books.
To learn more about Deborah and her publications please visit www.deborahhopkinson.com.
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