Sharon Creech

Sharon Creech is an award-winning American children's author who has achieved significant recognition in both the United States and United Kingdom. She made history as the first American to win the Carnegie Medal and the only author to receive both the Newbery Medal and Carnegie Medal, two of the most prestigious awards in children's literature. Her most acclaimed work, "Walk Two Moons" (1994), earned the Newbery Medal and established her as a leading voice in children's literature. Creech's writing style often incorporates elements of low fantasy and magical realism, with many of her stories drawing inspiration from her childhood experiences in Ohio and visits to Kentucky. The fictional town of Bybanks, Kentucky, appears as a setting in several of her works, including "Walk Two Moons," "Chasing Redbird," and "Bloomability." Her novels frequently explore themes of family relationships, self-discovery, and the complexities of growing up. Before becoming an author, Creech worked as an English teacher in England and Switzerland, where she developed her storytelling abilities. Her first children's novel, "Absolutely Normal Chaos," was initially published in the UK in 1990, marking the beginning of a prolific career in children's literature.

Readers across review sites appreciate Creech's ability to handle difficult topics like grief, family relationships, and identity while maintaining accessibility for young readers. Many note her skill at balancing humor with serious themes. What readers liked: - Character development, especially in "Walk Two Moons" and "Ruby Holler" - Poetic writing style and use of metaphor - Stories that appeal to both children and adults - Complex emotional themes presented in digestible ways What readers disliked: - Some find the plots predictable - Pacing can be slow in middle sections - Multiple storylines sometimes feel disconnected - Some characters come across as one-dimensional Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Walk Two Moons: 4.2/5 (259,000+ ratings) - Love That Dog: 4.1/5 (38,000+ ratings) - Ruby Holler: 4.1/5 (16,000+ ratings) Amazon: - Walk Two Moons: 4.7/5 - Love That Dog: 4.8/5 - Chasing Redbird: 4.6/5

Walk Two Moons (1994) A 13-year-old girl named Sal travels across the country with her grandparents while sharing the story of her friend Phoebe and coming to terms with her own mother's disappearance.

Absolutely Normal Chaos (1990) Mary Lou Finney records her eventful summer in a journal, documenting family chaos, her first crush, and unexpected adventures.

Bloomability (1998) An American girl adjusts to life at a boarding school in Switzerland while dealing with homesickness and forming new friendships.

Chasing Redbird (1997) Zinnia Taylor discovers an ancient trail behind her house in Bybanks, Kentucky, leading her on a journey of self-discovery while dealing with family loss.

Hate That Cat (2008) Jack continues his poetry journey from Love That Dog, exploring new poetic forms while processing his feelings about cats, his teacher, and sound.

Heartbeat (2004) Twelve-year-old Annie explores life changes through running and drawing while her mother prepares for a new baby and her grandfather loses his memory.

Love That Dog (2001) Written in free verse, a young boy named Jack gradually learns to appreciate poetry through his school assignments and processing the loss of his dog.

Replay (2005) Leo discovers an old diary and begins to understand his family better while preparing for his school play.

Ruby Holler (2002) Orphaned twins Dallas and Florida experience their first taste of family life when an elderly couple takes them to Ruby Holler for the summer.

Katherine Paterson writes about young characters dealing with loss and family struggles while finding their place in the world. She won the Newbery Medal for "Bridge to Terabithia" and "Jacob Have I Loved," which feature similar emotional depth to Creech's work.

Gary D. Schmidt creates narratives about middle school students facing family changes and personal growth. His books "The Wednesday Wars" and "Okay for Now" use first-person narration to explore complex family dynamics similar to Creech's style.

Patricia MacLachlan focuses on family relationships and rural settings in her work. Her books, including "Sarah, Plain and Tall" and "Baby," share Creech's interest in exploring connections between generations and the impact of change on families.

Linda Sue Park writes about characters discovering their identity through family history and cultural connections. Her work, including "A Single Shard" and "Project Mulberry," features young protagonists on journeys of self-discovery comparable to Creech's characters.

Jerry Spinelli creates stories about outsiders finding their way through childhood and early adolescence. His books "Maniac Magee" and "Stargirl" share Creech's focus on characters who navigate complex emotional terrain while discovering who they are.