Praise for Elizabeth Winthrop's Books

Elizabeth Winthrop is the author of more than 50 works of fiction for all ages. She is the winner of the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, the Pen Syndicated Fiction Award, The California Young Readers Medal and the Jane Addams Peace Prize Honor Book among others. Her fiction has been selected by the American Library Association Notable Books of the Year, Best American Short Stories, Children's Choice Awards, National Council of Teachers of English Books for A Global Society, Barnes and Noble Best Children's Books of the Year, the International Reading Association Teacher's Choice List, the class="showlink", Nick Jr. Magazine's Best Books for Children, the New York Times Best Illustrated Books, The Bank Street College Best Books for Children and the School Library Journal's Best of the Best List among others.

Her fantasy novel, THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC and its sequel, THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE, were nominated for over twenty-five state book awards and have sold over two million copies.

NEWS AND REVIEWS

COUNTING ON GRACE, a selection of the Junior Library Guild is an American Library Association 2007 Notable Book and a 2007 Notable Social Studies Trade Book as well as the 2007 Vermont Reads Selection

ALA Notable Book
Notable Trade Book in Social Studies
IRA-CBC Children's Choice Selection
NCTE Notable Book for a Global Society
Jane Addams Peace Prize Honor Book
Vermont Reads Selection
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Nominee
Massachusetts Honor Book
Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List

Reviews

"Winthrop's compelling story vividly captures the mill experience. Much information on early photography and the workings of the textile mills is conveyed, and history and fiction are woven seamlessly together in this beautifully written novel. Readers won't soon forget Grace."
-Starred Review, School Library Journal

"Inspired by a Hine photograph of a young Vermont mill girl, Winthrop vividly portrays mill life and four characters who resist its deadening effects. Solid research and lively writing make this a fine historical novel."
-Kirkus Reviews

"The child-labor story is grippingthe dangerous working conditions, activists who sought to publicize the abuse....Graces present-tense narrative makes the history heartbreaking. Grace is no sweet victim. "
-Booklist

"...a powerful novel that recreates the hopeless lives of young mill workers in an abusive company town. Winthrop's remarkable writing talents bring Grace and the past alive."
-David Gill, "Bill's Best Books.", ALAN

"Elizabeth Winthrop weaves this story of life in a 1910 textile mill with exquisite authority. Grace leaps off the page, grabbing us, completely engaging us..."
-Karen Hesse, OUT OF THE DUST, Newbery Medal Winner

"The most compelling thread of the novel chronicles the mounting tension between Grace and her demanding mother who dominates the other workers. This enlightening novel explores the perils of mill work for children and adults alike. Readers will cheer the feisty heroine when Grace uses her smarts to triumph....."
-Publishers Weekly

SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE with pictures by Pat Cummings on the 2006 American Library Association Notable List!

BookLinks names SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE as One of the Best New Books for the Classroom.

SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE nominated for the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award in the Kindergarten � Grade 3 category

"Beginning with the up-close, downcast face on the jacket, this direct picture book personalizes the frustration of a middle child wanting to be heard. Daisy's courage surprises her family into finally understanding how she feels. Cummings' recognizable robust style and intense palette give Daisy and her African-American family a modern, familiar look."
Starred Review, Booklist

Everybody loves DUMPY LA RUE! with pictures by Betsy Lewin

Starred Review, School Library Journal
New York Times Best Illustrated Book
Barnes and Noble.com Best Children's Books of the Year
Booksense '76 List.
Nick Jr. Magazine Best Books for Children, 2001
Bank Street Best Books for Children.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

Outstanding Merit Citation, Best Children's Books of the Year, Children's Book Committee of the Bank Street College of Education

REVIEWS

"Wrapped in a handsome package�a tall, slim format that provides plenty of space for the dreamy, full-page colored-pencil pictures. A lovely Christmas miracle."
-Booklist

"This original story has the flavor of an old folk/fairy tale as the plot expands to include a haughty woman who orders three pairs of stockings, a barefoot little boy with frostbitten fingers and icy hair, and the up-swelling of Claire's generous heart. Needless to say her generosity is rewarded with the granting of her wish for warm fires and candles that never burn down. This explanation of hanging stockings on the fireplace will charm all those who have ever had special Christmas wishes�and as in real life, some are granted and some are not."
-Childrens Literature

"Ibatoulline illustrates Winthrop's mid-length tale with snowy scenes in appropriate soft-focus, featuring a very small child huddled in a dim, sparsely furnished room knitting brightly decorated stockings as her mother - and later on, her loving father - hover in the background. A tale of kindness recompensed."
-Kirkus Reviews

"Ibatoulline infuses each scene with a hint of nostalgia — the perfect touch for one of the most warmhearted books of the season."
-Washington Post Book World

THE BIGGEST PARADE, a sequel to DOG SHOW with pictures by Mark Ulriksen

"This follow-up to Dog Show is even more fun than its predecessor, thanks to a clever plot twist. Winthrop's wry reportorial prose makes this a terrific read-aloud. . With a comically florid palette and witty framings, Ulriksen conveys Fred's hipster stoicism, Harvey's geeky enthusiasm, and the come-what-may love they have for one another."
- Starred Review, Publisher's Weekly

"Winthrop writes with her usual verve, milking all the fun out of Harvey's frenzy, Fred's apathy and the successful parade. Ulriksen's chunky acrylics add tons of fun to the text, whether showing Harvey's parade-planning notes piled to the ceiling or Fred clapping, jumping, stomping and whistling - alone- in the stands."
-Booklist

"Winthrop's tale of how the whole town celebrates is fun and quirky, with lots of humor. Fred ends up playing an important role, one that suits him perfectly. The acrylic paintings almost resemble photographs in their detail, and Fred's expressions are priceless. Readers will pore over the crowd illustrations, laughing at all of the antics. While the book is funny, it also helps young readers realize that teamwork doesn't always mean doing the same thing as everyone else."
-School Library Journal

Reviews and Honors
home the author bookshelf reviews and honors teachers page school visit guide advice for young writers guestbook news & events	Elizabeth Winthrop is the author of more than 50 works of fiction for all ages. She is the winner of the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, the Pen Syndicated Fiction Award, The California Young Readers Medal and the Jane Addams Peace Prize Honor Book among others. Her fiction has been selected by the American Library Association Notable Books of the Year, Best American Short Stories, Children's Choice Awards, National Council of Teachers of English Books for A Global Society, Barnes and Noble Best Children's Books of the Year, the International Reading Association Teacher's Choice List, the class="showlink", Nick Jr. Magazine's Best Books for Children, the New York Times Best Illustrated Books, The Bank Street College Best Books for Children and the School Library Journal's Best of the Best List among others. Her fantasy novel, THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC and its sequel, THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE, were nominated for over twenty-five state book awards and have sold over two million copies. NEWS AND REVIEWS COUNTING ON GRACE, a selection of the Junior Library Guild is an American Library Association 2007 Notable Book and a 2007 Notable Social Studies Trade Book as well as the 2007 Vermont Reads Selection ALA Notable Book Notable Trade Book in Social Studies IRA-CBC Children's Choice Selection NCTE Notable Book for a Global Society Jane Addams Peace Prize Honor Book Vermont Reads Selection Dorothy Canfield Fisher Nominee Massachusetts Honor Book Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List Reviews "Winthrop's compelling story vividly captures the mill experience. Much information on early photography and the workings of the textile mills is conveyed, and history and fiction are woven seamlessly together in this beautifully written novel. Readers won't soon forget Grace." -Starred Review, School Library Journal "Inspired by a Hine photograph of a young Vermont mill girl, Winthrop vividly portrays mill life and four characters who resist its deadening effects. Solid research and lively writing make this a fine historical novel." -Kirkus Reviews "The child-labor story is grippingthe dangerous working conditions, activists who sought to publicize the abuse....Graces present-tense narrative makes the history heartbreaking. Grace is no sweet victim. " -Booklist "...a powerful novel that recreates the hopeless lives of young mill workers in an abusive company town. Winthrop's remarkable writing talents bring Grace and the past alive." -David Gill, "Bill's Best Books.", ALAN "Elizabeth Winthrop weaves this story of life in a 1910 textile mill with exquisite authority. Grace leaps off the page, grabbing us, completely engaging us..." -Karen Hesse, OUT OF THE DUST, Newbery Medal Winner "The most compelling thread of the novel chronicles the mounting tension between Grace and her demanding mother who dominates the other workers. This enlightening novel explores the perils of mill work for children and adults alike. Readers will cheer the feisty heroine when Grace uses her smarts to triumph....." -Publishers Weekly SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE with pictures by Pat Cummings on the 2006 American Library Association Notable List! BookLinks names SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE as One of the Best New Books for the Classroom. SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE nominated for the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award in the Kindergarten � Grade 3 category "Beginning with the up-close, downcast face on the jacket, this direct picture book personalizes the frustration of a middle child wanting to be heard. Daisy's courage surprises her family into finally understanding how she feels. Cummings' recognizable robust style and intense palette give Daisy and her African-American family a modern, familiar look." Starred Review, Booklist Everybody loves DUMPY LA RUE! with pictures by Betsy Lewin Starred Review, School Library Journal New York Times Best Illustrated Book Barnes and Noble.com Best Children's Books of the Year Booksense '76 List. Nick Jr. Magazine Best Books for Children, 2001 Bank Street Best Books for Children. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline Outstanding Merit Citation, Best Children's Books of the Year, Children's Book Committee of the Bank Street College of Education REVIEWS "Wrapped in a handsome package�a tall, slim format that provides plenty of space for the dreamy, full-page colored-pencil pictures. A lovely Christmas miracle." -Booklist "This original story has the flavor of an old folk/fairy tale as the plot expands to include a haughty woman who orders three pairs of stockings, a barefoot little boy with frostbitten fingers and icy hair, and the up-swelling of Claire's generous heart. Needless to say her generosity is rewarded with the granting of her wish for warm fires and candles that never burn down. This explanation of hanging stockings on the fireplace will charm all those who have ever had special Christmas wishes�and as in real life, some are granted and some are not." -Childrens Literature "Ibatoulline illustrates Winthrop's mid-length tale with snowy scenes in appropriate soft-focus, featuring a very small child huddled in a dim, sparsely furnished room knitting brightly decorated stockings as her mother - and later on, her loving father - hover in the background. A tale of kindness recompensed." -Kirkus Reviews "Ibatoulline infuses each scene with a hint of nostalgia — the perfect touch for one of the most warmhearted books of the season." -Washington Post Book World THE BIGGEST PARADE, a sequel to DOG SHOW with pictures by Mark Ulriksen "This follow-up to Dog Show is even more fun than its predecessor, thanks to a clever plot twist. Winthrop's wry reportorial prose makes this a terrific read-aloud. . With a comically florid palette and witty framings, Ulriksen conveys Fred's hipster stoicism, Harvey's geeky enthusiasm, and the come-what-may love they have for one another." - Starred Review, Publisher's Weekly "Winthrop writes with her usual verve, milking all the fun out of Harvey's frenzy, Fred's apathy and the successful parade. Ulriksen's chunky acrylics add tons of fun to the text, whether showing Harvey's parade-planning notes piled to the ceiling or Fred clapping, jumping, stomping and whistling - alone- in the stands." -Booklist "Winthrop's tale of how the whole town celebrates is fun and quirky, with lots of humor. Fred ends up playing an important role, one that suits him perfectly. The acrylic paintings almost resemble photographs in their detail, and Fred's expressions are priceless. Readers will pore over the crowd illustrations, laughing at all of the antics. While the book is funny, it also helps young readers realize that teamwork doesn't always mean doing the same thing as everyone else." -School Library Journal

Reviews and Honors