Jean Fritz was an acclaimed American author of children's books, primarily known for her historical biographies that combined research rigor with an accessible and humorous style. She was born in Hankow, China, on November 16, 1915, the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries. Her experience of growing up in a foreign country, often feeling divided between two cultures, influenced her passion for history and her desire to understand the past of the United States, a country she idealized from a distance. Fritz moved to the United States at age 13 and later studied at Penn State University. She began her writing career in the late 1950s, initially publishing children's fiction. However, she found her true calling in biographies. Her works, such as "And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?", "Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus?", and "Shh! We're Writing the Constitution", are characterized by presenting historical figures in an approachable and human way, revealing their peculiarities and flaws alongside their achievements. She received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (now known as the Children's Literature Legacy Award) from the American Library Association in 1986 for her lasting contribution to children's literature. She was also a National Book Award finalist and received the Regina Medal. Her ability to make history engaging and understandable for young readers established her as one of the most important figures in historical children's literature. Jean Fritz passed away on March 11, 2017, at the age of 101.
Use the search bar to find the book you want
Español