Irene Hunt (May 18, 1907 – May 18, 2001) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

children's writer known best for

historical novels Historical fiction is a literary genre in which the plot takes place in a setting related to the past events, but is fictional. Although the term is commonly used as a synonym for historical fiction literature, it can also be applied to other ty ...

. She was a runner-up for the

Newbery Medal The John Newbery Medal, frequently shortened to the Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), to the author of "the most distinguished contr ...

for her first book, ''

Across Five Aprils ''Across Five Aprils'' is a novel by Irene Hunt, published in 1964 and winner of a 1965 Newbery Honor, set in the Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of ...

'', and won the medal for her second, '' Up a Road Slowly''. For her contribution as a children's writer she was U.S. nominee in 1974 for the biennial, international

Hans Christian Andersen Award The Hans Christian Andersen Awards are two literary awards given by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), recognising one living author and one living illustrator for their "lasting contribution to children's literature". Th ...

, the highest international recognition available to creators of children's books.

Life

Hunt was born to Franklin P. and Sarah Land Hunt on May 18, 1903 in Pontiac, Illinois. The family soon moved to Newton, Illinois, but Franklin died when Hunt was only seven, and the family moved again to be close to Hunt's grandparents. Hunt's childhood was lonely, but she shared a special relationship with her grandfather. He told her stories about his childhood during the Civil War. In

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she earned her M.A. In Illinois public schools, she was a teacher of English and French. Later, she taught psychology at the

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, Vermillion, but eventually came back to elementary and junior high school to become a director of language arts in Illinois. After she retired in 1969, Hunt devoted her time to writing. Hunt was 61 when her debut novel ''Across Five Aprils'' was published in 1964, and it received much acclaim. Chosen a Newbery Honor Book, the novel was also Hunt's personal favorite among the ones she wrote. A critic maintains: "Brilliant characterization, a telling sense of story, an uncanny ability to balance fact and fiction, and compassionate, graceful writing mark Hunt's small but distinguished body of work." With Across Five Aprils, Hunt established herself as one of the greatest historical novelists, proving that she can write for both adult and children audiences. With her faith in "courage, love, and mercy," Hunt wrote her books to emphasize this faith. Her next novel, Up a Road Slowly, won the 1967

She died on her 94th birthday on May 18, 2001.

Works

* ''

'', Follett, 1964. * '' Up a Road Slowly'', Follett, 1966. * ''Trail of Apple Blossoms'', illustrated by Don Bolognese, Follett, 1968. * '' No Promises in the Wind'', Follett, 1970. * ''

The Lottery Rose ''The Lottery Rose'' is a 1976 young adult novel by Newbery-winning author Irene Hunt. Though written at a middle-school reading level, this book is also suitable for high school readers due to high-interest subject matter. Plot Georgie ...

: a novel'', Scribner, 1976. * ''William: a novel'', Scribner, 1978. * ''Claws of a Young Century: a novel'', Scribner, 1980. * ''The Everlasting Hills'', Scribner, 1985.

Select awards

* 1965 Newbery Honor Book citation for ''Across Five Aprils'' * 1965

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award The Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (formerly the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award) annually recognizes one new American children's book selected by the vote of Vermont schoolchildren. It was inaugurated in 1957. The award is co-spon ...

for ''Across Five Aprils'' * 1965

Lewis Carroll Shelf Award The Lewis Carroll Shelf Award was an American literary award conferred on several books annually by the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education annually from 1958 to 1979. Award-winning books were deemed to "belong on the same shelf" ...

for ''Across Five Aprils'' * 1967

for ''Up a Road Slowly'' * 1971 Charles W. Follett Award for ''No Promises in the Wind'' * 1985

Parents' Choice Award The Parents' Choice Award was an award presented by the non-profit Parents' Choice Foundation to recognize "the very best products for children of different ages and backgrounds, and of varied skill and interest levels." It was considered a "prest ...

for ''The Everlasting Hills''

References

* "Irene Hunt", ''Contemporary Authors Online'', Thomson Gale, entry updated 25 February 2002

External links

Irene Hunt
at

Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library is ...

Authorities —with 14 catalog records {{DEFAULTSORT:Hunt, Irene 1907 births 2001 deaths 20th-century American novelists 20th-century American women writers American children's writers American historical novelists Schoolteachers from Illinois 20th-century American women educators American women novelists Newbery Honor winners Newbery Medal winners Women historical novelists Novelists from Illinois 20th-century American educators