Information about ellen conford biography

Ellen Conford

American novelist

Ellen Conford (March 20, – March 20, ) was an American author for children and young adults. Among her writings are the Annabel the Actress and Jenny Archer series.

Information about ellen conford biography Other books featuring thirteen-and fourteen-year-old protagonists include Dear Lovey Hart, I Am Desperate , about narrator Carrie Wasserman's efforts to become anonymous advisor to her high school's lovelorn through the school newspaper's advice column, and Dear Mom, Get Me out of Here! The Alfred G. The Alfred G. Targeting the middle-school crowd, the [Image Not Available] novel is narrated by Victory Benneker, a young teen who daydreams about being everything from an Olympic ice-skater to president of the United States while trying to survive the rigors of the sixth grade.

Her books have won the Best Book of the Year Citation, Best Book of the International Interest Citation, Best Book of the Year for Children, Parents' Choice Award, and more.

Early life

She was born Ellen Shaffer in New York City in , the only child of Harry Schaffer and Lillian Schaffer (née Pfeffer).

She is the first cousin of fellow writer Susan Beth Pfeffer.[1] An avid reader from an early age, she read eight books per week. Among her favorite books to read were the Nancy Drew series and teen romances.[2]

In high school, she edited her school's humor magazine. She attended Hofstra College from to [3] During her studies, she helped pay for classes by working as a proofreader and as a salesperson.

Information about ellen conford biography wikipedia Another work geared for younger readers, The Frog Princess of Pelham is a fairy tale for younger readers that finds wealthy, orphaned Chandler inadvertently turned toadlike after a kiss from friend Danny Malone. Impossible Possum was Ellen's first book, published in , which launched her career as a sought after children's book author. Praising Conford's fiction as "fast-paced and optimistic," St. Del Negro added, "it's still fun.

She met fellow student David Conford, whom she married November 23,

Career

Upon graduating from college, Conford began her career writing short stories for teen magazines, published between and in magazines such as TEEN. She was prompted to begin writing full-length books when she couldn't find a good book for their son Michael to read at the library, and told her husband that she thought she could write a better one.[4]

Her debut book Impossible Possum was published by Little, Brown in - a picture book about a possum who doesn't fit in with the rest of his family because he can't hang by his tail.

The book was illustrated by Rosemary Wells. Little, Brown editor John Keller recalls coming across the manuscript for Impossible Possum at the beginning of his editorial career: "It [was] fresh and funny, tone was just right"[5] Previously to being acquired by Little, Brown, it had been rejected by 12 other publishers.[6]

Conford went on to publish over 40 books and have a prolific career in children's book publishing.

Ellen conford Children's literature young adult fiction. ISBN Anthologies [ edit ]. Archives and Special Collections: Ellen Conford Personal Archives and Juvenile Book Collection Archives and Special Collections is a repository for materials contained in a variety of formats: books, manuscripts, correspondence, journals, photographs, posters, maps, original drawings, theatre programs, archival documents, and other materials.

The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School of Rules and Regulations was an ALA Notable Young Adult Book in , and Lenny Kandell, Smart Aleck (Little, Brown) was named an SLJ Best Book in

Several of her stories have been adapted for television, sometimes by Conford herself. Her children's book And This is Laura and the story Revenge of the Incredible Dr.

Rancid and His Youthful Assistant, Jeffrey became ABC Weekend Specials, while her young adult novelsDear Lovey Hart, I Am Desperate became an ABC Afterschool Special and The Alfred G. Graebner Memorial High School Handbook of Rules and Regulations was a CBS Schoolbreak Special.

Ellen Conford died at her home in Great Neck, New York on March 20, , her 73rd birthday.[7]

Bibliography

Novels

Picture books

  • Impossible, Possum ()
  • Why Can't I Be William? ()
  • Just the Thing for Geraldine ()
  • Eugene the Brave ()

Series

Annabel the Actress

  • Annabel the Actress: Starring in Gorilla My Dreams ()
  • Annabel the Actress: Starring in Just a Little Extra ()
  • Annabel the Actress: Starring In Hound of the Barkervilles ()
  • Annabel the Actress: Starring in Camping It Up ()

Jenny Archer

  • A Job for Jenny Archer ()
  • A Case for Jenny Archer ()
  • Jenny Archer, Author ()
  • What's Cooking, Jenny Archer? ()
  • Jenny Archer to the Rescue ()
  • Can Do, Jenny Archer ()
  • Nibble, Nibble, Jenny Archer ()
  • Get the Picture Jenny Archer? ()

Anthologies

  • Shelf Life: Stories by the Book ()

Collections

  • If This is Love, I'll Take Spaghetti ()
  • 'I Love You, I Hate You, Get Lost ()
  • Crush ()

References