Michael O. Tunnell

Michael O. Tunnell is an American children's author and educator who served as department chair of children's literature at Brigham Young University. His work includes both children's books and academic publications, with particular focus on analyzing and documenting the works of fantasy author Lloyd Alexander. Born in Texas but raised in Canada and Utah, Tunnell developed his passion for literature through his grandmother's daily reading sessions. After initially pursuing law, he changed direction to education following an influential visit to an elementary school, leading to a career that would span both primary education and university teaching. With degrees from three major Utah universities, Tunnell spent twelve years teaching fifth and sixth grade before transitioning to higher education. His academic career included positions at Arkansas State University and Northern Illinois University before settling at Brigham Young University, where he made significant contributions to the field of children's literature. His expertise in children's literature extends beyond teaching to include numerous published works that examine both historical and contemporary aspects of children's books. This combination of practical teaching experience and academic scholarship has established him as a notable figure in children's literature education and research.

Readers commend Tunnell's ability to make historical events accessible to young readers through engaging storytelling. His children's books, particularly "Brothers in Valor" and "Candy Bomber," receive recognition for handling complex topics with age-appropriate depth. Positives: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Well-researched historical content - Inclusion of primary sources and photographs - Balance between facts and narrative flow Negatives: - Some readers note pacing issues in certain books - A few mention wanting more detail in historical accounts - Occasional comments about simple sentence structure Ratings: Goodreads averages: - Candy Bomber: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) - Brothers in Valor: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) - Moon Over Tennessee: 3.9/5 (50+ ratings) Amazon averages: - Candy Bomber: 4.8/5 (190+ reviews) - Mailing May: 4.7/5 (80+ reviews) One teacher reviewer notes: "His books consistently engage students who normally avoid historical subjects."

Wishing Moon - In medieval Baghdad, a homeless girl discovers a magical jinn trapped in a bottle who grants wishes that lead to unexpected consequences and revelations about her true identity.

Lloyd Alexander writes complex fantasy narratives for young readers with Welsh mythology influences and coming-of-age themes. His works share Tunnell's interest in weaving educational elements into engaging stories.

Katherine Paterson creates historical fiction and contemporary stories that deal with serious themes while maintaining accessibility for young readers. Her work demonstrates similar attention to historical accuracy and emotional depth found in Tunnell's writing.

Gary Paulsen focuses on survival stories and historical adventures that combine educational value with narrative tension. His approach to blending factual content with storytelling mirrors Tunnell's educational writing style.

Karen Cushman specializes in historical fiction with well-researched period details and strong young protagonists. Her work reflects Tunnell's commitment to combining historical accuracy with engaging narratives for young readers.

Christopher Paul Curtis writes historical fiction that incorporates detailed research and authentic character voices. His books share Tunnell's focus on making historical events accessible to young readers through compelling storytelling.