Laura Malone Elliott
Life's lessons and universal themes conveyed in compelling fiction is the signature of extraordinary author, Laura Malone Elliott. Drawing upon her extensive experience as a journalist for the Washingtonian Magazine, Ms. Elliott begins the writing of a book with what she calls the "delicious treasure hunt of research." After laboriously constructing a detailed outline (really an oversized chart) of historical events and times of the actual historical figures that will appear in the novel, she begins the process of placing the novel in its geographical setting and time frame.
The characters that populate her novel must be able to have actually met the real people that cross their paths--Ms. Elliott's integrity as a journalist carries over into her approach to fiction. She quotes Mark Twain in saying that fiction is "obliged to stick to possibilities." Truth is not so obliged and is, indeed, often stranger than fiction. She delves into the realities to set up the possibilities for her characters; giving them the dimensions and life dilemmas/joys that resonate through time to speak to the current generation of readers.
Her themes include the obvious good vs evil but also chronicle the choices of responsibility, integrity, and truth. She demonstrates relationships with the interaction of her characters in familial, platonic, romantic, and other universal human experiences. The tension of a character's decisions concerning obligations vs their own desires, loyalty, nationalism, and responsibility are all delivered in a subtle tone. Moreover, she shows much of the characters' development through their actions rather than with long passages of philosophical discourse. Many of her characters' actions are from actual facts gleaned during her research -facts she uses to reveal the true nature of the characters she has created for her novels.
With only three novels in print at this time, Ms. Elliott, is making a mark in the world of children's literature while earning many awards. The Joan G. Sugarman Children's Book Award, a bi-annual award for a book written by an author residing in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, was awarded to Flying South, in 2003. Set in Charlottesville in the 1960's it is an exquisite look at family, race relations, attitudes toward war (Viet Nam) and the blooming of individuality in the young girl whose story so beautifully unfolds in this important historical novel. Under a War Torn Sky (based on Ms. Elliott's own father's experiences in WWII after he was shot down behind enemy lines in France) was also an award winner garnering attention from Bank Street (Best Books List of 2002), the Jefferson Cup Award, The Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Maryland) and many other notable lists. Annie Between the States is quickly becoming a definitive study of the Civil War in the northern Virginia area and is capturing the attention of media specialists (Books for the Teen Age 2005 New York Public Library) and readers, as well as, receiving many excellent reviews. Her next novel will be set during the American Revolution and is sure to be another benchmark in the study of how America became a nation.
Obviously a writer with a deft touch, Ms. Elliott is a compassionate soul whose words will speak to the most modern reader as she exposes the universal template of existence in the very best of historical fiction.
Find more information on Laura Malone Elliott at her website
Contributor: Sheilah Egan
Reviews
Annie, Between the StatesLaura Malone Elliott
Living in Virginia, Annie Sinclair finds her family in the crosshairs of the Civil War. Early in the conflict Annie and her mother are forced to serve as nurses tending to both Union and Confederate wounded from the Battle of First Manassas. In that capacity Annie discovers that in her heart she saw no difference in the sadness attendant to the death of either a Yankee or a Rebel soldier. Despite her love of her native South--for which two of her brothers are fighting--the issue of slavery troubles Annie and causes her to question the morality of their cause. To further complicate matters, a chain of events leads Annie to the brink of personal disaster. Only the intervention of a Union officer can save Annie from what appears to be destruction. Can she overcome her hatred of the Yankee invaders to accept the help that will save her? Readers with an interest in historical fiction and the Civil War era will enjoy finding the answer to this question when they complete this story. Written with an eye toward historical accuracy, the novel tells the sad story of the divisions and loss that were inherent in America's bloodiest war. Yet, despite the sadness that permeates the pages of this novel, the author also creates a strong female character in Annie Sinclair. In the person of Annie, readers will learn about both the Civil War in Virginia and one girl's journey to young womanhood. 2004, Katherine Tegen Books, $15.99, Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-06-001211-0
ISBN: 0-06-001212-9
Flying South
Laura Malone Elliott
In the year 1968, America is undergoing a civil re-birth. And just as America struggles to define its place in a new social order, so does ten-year-old Alice struggle to understand her place in her own life. With her father dead, Alice longs all the more for a close relationship with her mother, who is unfortunately preoccupied with finding a "good" husband. Meanwhile, Alice's awakening ethics rebel against the racial intolerance and social snobbery she encounters in her upper-crust Virginia world. It is through her offbeat but loving relationship with the family's aging gardener, Doc, that Alice learns the importance of having principles and sticking to them. Speaking of Virginia's relatively isolated and protected society, Alice says, "Change is going to come whether they like it or not." The only protection is a clear conscience. Ultimately, it is Alice's brave stance against her mother's weakness that provides the catalyst that draws the two closer together. Alice's two main relationships--the one she has with Doc and the one she wants with her mother--are skillfully juxtaposed in this sensitively written novel of individual discovery. It also shows how national movements, though they may seem distant today, were very real--and very personal--to the people who lived through them. 2003, HarperCollins Children's Books/HarperCollins Publishers, $15.99, Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Diane Frook (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Joan G. Sugarman Children's Book Award Winner 2003 United States
ISBN: 0-06-001214-5
ISBN: 0-06-001215-3
Under A War-Torn Sky
Laura Malone Elliott
At age nineteen, Henry Forester is the youngest pilot in his B-24 bomber squadron. Henry and his fellow crew members are sent on a series of dangerous bombing missions over France and Germany. On one such mission Henry's bomber is shot out of the sky. Faced with the frightening reality of being downed behind enemy lines, Henry makes his way toward freedom with the assistance of the French underground. Wounded, hungry, lost and afraid, Henry sees the effects war has on the human spirit. The people who both help and hunt him show themselves to be anything but cardboard cutout characters. Henry experiences relationships with protectors whom he comes to cherish and others who repel him. War, in Henry's eyes, brings out both the worst and the best in people. Through Henry's perspective, we see the physically and spiritually war-torn landscape of World War II Europe. Told as a fictional rendering of the experiences of the author's father, this is a powerful debut novel. Readers should be prepared for realistic scenes portraying the violence of war; but is that not preferable to sugar coating mankind's most destructive actions? Plotted in a fast-paced manner, this is a believable story of adventure and salvation. Readers, young and old, will be touched and moved by this fine book. 2001, Hyperion, $15.99, Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2002; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Books About Trauma, Tragedy and Loss, 2002; Children's Book Council; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2002; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Border's Original Voices Awards Winner 2002 Young Adult Literature United States
Jefferson Cup Award Honor Book 2002 United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 2004-2005; Nominee; High School; Maryland
Iowa Teen Award, 2003-2004; Nominee; Iowa
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award, 2002-2003; Nominee; Pennsylvania
South Carolina Book Awards, 2003-2004; Nominee; Junior Book Award; South Carolina
Tayshas High School Reading List, 2003-2004; Texas
ISBN: 0-7868-0755-5
ISBN: 0-7868-2485-9
Hunter's Best Friend at School
Laura Malone Elliott
Hunter and Stripe are best friends. They do everything together. They like the same clothes, the same foods, and the same books. One day Stripe comes to school in a mischief-making mood and Hunter does not know how to react. He feels like he has to join in with Stripe's antics to keep from losing his friendship, but when he tries to impress Stripe by tearing up his beautiful cut-paper frog he feels miserable. When Hunter's mother discovers the torn frog in his backpack, she explains that sometimes a friend helps the other to be the best person that he can be. The next day at school, Hunter ignores Stripe's antics and sets a good example by following directions and doing what is right. Eventually, Stripe gets the picture and begins to behave in more appropriate ways. Although the story is obviously didactic, Musinger's charming raccoon characters ensure that children will enjoy the story without realizing they are being taught a lesson. 2002, HarperCollins, $15.99. Ages 5 to 7. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Children's Choices, 2003; International Reading Association; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
2x2 Reading List, 2003; Texas
ISBN: 0-06-000230-1
ISBN: 0-06-000231-X
To view the text of a 2005 speech by this author, click here.
Added 04/01/05
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