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Children's Nonfiction Literary

Lucy Maud Montgomery

A Writer’s Life

by (author) Elizabeth MacLeod

Publisher
Kids Can Press
Initial publish date
Feb 2001
Category
Literary
Recommended Age
6 to 8
Recommended Grade
1 to 3
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781554530564
    Publish Date
    Feb 2008
    List Price
    $5.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781554530557
    Publish Date
    Feb 2008
    List Price
    $14.95
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781550744897
    Publish Date
    Feb 2001
    List Price
    $7.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781550744873
    Publish Date
    Feb 2001
    List Price
    $16.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Out of print

This edition is not currently available in bookstores. Check your local library or search for used copies at Abebooks.

Description

Lucy Maud Montgomery believed that one day she would be taken seriously as a writer. Despite the many obstacles she faced throughout her life, Montgomery not only earned a good living as a writer, but also became famous for it.

Anne of Green Gables

is one of the most popular books ever written and has been translated into over 20 languages, garnering Montgomery worldwide recognition and appeal.
Weaving the real events of her life into the fabric of her fiction using photographs, excerpts from newspapers and actual journal pages, this biography explores Montgomery's struggle and determination to realize her dreams. This book in the Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History series includes a concise timeline and a listing of pertinent Web sites.

About the author

Liz is one nosy author, which is why she loves writing non-fiction. She’s very curious about why people do what they do, and likes sharing with kids the amazing facts and secrets that she uncovers.As a kid in Thornhill, Ontario, the idea of being a writer never crossed Liz’s mind—she figured most authors were already dead and they definitely weren’t Canadian. Besides, it was science that interested Liz.But writing was already part of Liz’s life. After dinner on school nights, Liz and her two brothers would trudge up to their rooms, close their doors and start to do their homework—or so their parents thought. A few minutes later, a piece of paper would come sliding under Liz’s door. One of her brothers had drawn a picture, usually of some weird creature.Liz really couldn’t draw (still can’t!), so the only way she could respond was to write a short story, often about a mad scientist or space alien. She would slip the story under her brother’s door and—well, not a lot of homework got done.At university, Liz studied sciences—there was hardly any writing involved at all. But after university, she was hired as an editor at OWL magazine, where she could combine writing and her love of science. But it wasn’t long before Liz had a goal: to write a book. Her first one was about lions and since then she’s written more than fifty others.Royal Murder: The Deadly Intrigue of Ten Sovereigns (2008) is one of her favourite books because royalty has always fascinated Liz. She loved going behind the scenes with monarchs from Cleopatra to Dracula to find out just what they would do to hold onto power or protect their families.Bones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History’s Mysteries (2013) was the winner of numerous awards, including the Crime Writers of Canada 2014 Arthur Ellis Award in the Juvenile/YA category. Liz’s latest book with Annick Press, Galloping Through History: Incredible True Horse Stories (Spring 2015), combines, once again, her outstanding storytelling skills with her passion for history. This time her love of animals also shines through as she recounts the stories of six horses that changed the way humans live, travel, fight, work, and play.Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their cat Cosimo. While she writes, he is usually sprawled across her desk—often right on the book she needs for research!

Elizabeth MacLeod's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
  • Winner, Our Choice, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
  • Short-listed, Alberta Children’s Choice Rocky Mountain Book Award
  • Short-listed, Silver Birch Award, Ontario Library Association

Editorial Reviews

MacLeod’s book is the ideal introduction to this fascinating and influential writer.

Quill & Quire

A terrific format for an appealing subject.

Kirkus Reviews

? this presentation offers a good biographical overview, studded with vivid details. MacLeod gives a clear sense of Montgomery’s life and shows how she wove certain parts of her own history into her fiction. Anne of Green Gables fans will find this an accessible and entertaining choice.

Booklist

Librarian Reviews

Lucy Maud Montgomery (Kids Can Read 3)

Of the many books that Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) penned, she is best known for Anne of Green Gables, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008. Did you know that this famous and world-renowned story was rejected by several publishers before one agreed to publish it? Coloured illustrations and quick facts about the late Canadian author are included.

Source: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Best Books for Kids & Teens. 2009.

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