CJHS ELA Author Talk

McDaniel began writing about young adults when her son Sean was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 3. His illness changed the lives of everyone in her family forever. "I saw what life was like for someone who was chronically ill, and I experienced how it affected the dynamics of the family," says McDaniel. She says she found that writing about the trauma and its effects was therapeutic

In addition to her popular YA novels, McDaniel has written radio and television scripts, promotional and advertising copy, and a magazine column. She is a frequent speaker at schools, writers' conferences, and conventions.

Three of her novels were selected by children as IRA-CBC Children's Choices: SOMEWHERE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH, TOO YOUNG TO DIE, and GOODBYE DOESN'T MEAN FOREVER. SIX MONTHS TO LIVE has been placed in a literary time capsule at the Library of Congress, to be opened in the year 2089.

McDaniel's works include TO LIVE AGAIN, one of the Dawn Rochelle books; ANGEL OF MERCY, the companion to ANGEL OF HOPE; and HOW DO I LOVE THEE, three stories about young couples who are inspired by Elizabeth Barrett Browning's beautiful sonnet. In her novel, TELLING CHRISTINA GOODBYE, McDaniel shows that everything can change in the blink of an eye.

Since the age of 15, Paulsen has worked at many jobs in an effort to support himself: migrant worker, soldier, field engineer, truck driver, and magazine editor (Handy, 1991).

Juvenile Fiction

Brian's Winter. New York: Delacorte, 1996. Call Me Frances Tucket. New York: Delacorte, 1995. Danger On Midnight River. New York: Doubleday, 1995. Escape From Fire Mountain. New York: Bantam Books, 1995. Hook 'em Snotty. New York: Doubleday, 1995. The Rifle. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich, 1995. Rock Jockeys. New York: Bantam, 1995. The Tent. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1995. The Tortilla Factory. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1995. The Car. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1994. The Legend of Red Horse Cavern. New York: Bantam, 1994. Dogteam. New York: Delacorte, 1993. Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich, 1993.

The Winter Room. New York: Orchard, 1989. The Island. New York: Orchard, 1988. The Crossing. New York: Orchard, 1987. Hatchet. New York: Bradury Press, 1987. Sentries. New York: Bradbury Press, 1986. Dogsong, New York: Bradbury Press, 1985. Tracker. New York: Bradbury Press, 1984. Dancing Carl. New York: Bradbury Press, 1983. Popcorn Days and Buttermilk Nights. Lodestar Books, 1983. The Spitball Gang. Elsevier, 1980. The Green Recruit.Independence Press, 1978. The C. B. Radio Caper.Raintree, 1977. The Curse of the Cobra. Raintree, 1977. The Foxman. T. Nelson, 1977. The Golden Stick. Raintree, 1977. Tiltawhirl John.T. Nelson, 1977. Winterkill.T. Nelson, 1977. Mr. Tuckett. Funk & Wagnalls,1968. Culpepper Adventures Series. New York: Dell, from 1992 to present.

Nightjohn. New York: Delacorte, 1993. Sisters/Hermanas. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich, 1993. Christmas Sonata. New York: Delacorte, 1992. The Haymeadow. New York: Delacorte, 1992. The Cookcamp. New York: Orchard, 1991. The Monument. New York: Delacorte, 1991. The River. New York: Delacorte, 1991. The Boy Who Owned the School. New York: Orchard, 1990. Canyons. New York: Delacorte, 1990. The Night the White Deer Died. New York: Delacorte, 1990. Woodsong. New York: Bradbury Press, 1990. The Voyage of the Frog. New York: Orchard, 1989.