Margaret Hodges

Margaret Hodges was an influential American children's book author, librarian, and storyteller who wrote over 40 books during her career spanning from 1958 to the late 20th century. Her most acclaimed work, "Saint George and the Dragon," won the Caldecott Medal in 1985 with illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. After graduating from Vassar College in 1932, Hodges trained as a librarian at Carnegie Institute of Technology and became deeply involved in storytelling at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Her storytelling talent led to her role on the radio show "Let's Tell A Story" in 1953 and later as a storyteller on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" from the mid-1960s to 1976. Beyond her writing career, Hodges served as a professor of library science at the University of Pittsburgh until her retirement in 1976. Her notable works include "What's for Lunch, Charley?", "Merlin and the Making of the King," and "John F. Kennedy Voice of Hope." Throughout her career, Hodges combined her expertise in librarianship with her gift for storytelling, creating works that brought historical tales and original stories to young readers. She continued writing until late in life, leaving a significant legacy in children's literature before her death in 2005.

Readers consistently praise Hodges' ability to adapt complex historical and mythological stories for children while maintaining their depth and meaning. Her retellings of classic tales receive high marks for accessibility and engagement. What readers liked: - Clear, engaging writing style that appeals to both children and adults - Faithful adaptations that preserve original story elements - Strong educational value, especially in historical works - Effective collaboration with illustrators, particularly in "Saint George and the Dragon" What readers disliked: - Some found her language occasionally too formal for young readers - Several books criticized for dense text-to-page ratio - Some adaptations described as "too simplified" compared to source material Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 average across titles Amazon: 4.3/5 average "Saint George and the Dragon" maintains highest ratings (4.6/5 on Amazon) One parent reviewer noted: "Hodges doesn't talk down to children - she elevates their understanding." A teacher commented: "Her books make historical stories accessible without losing their complexity."

Saint George and the Dragon - A retelling of Edmund Spenser's classic tale from The Faerie Queene about a brave knight who battles a fearsome dragon to save a princess.

Merlin and the Making of the King - A collection of three Arthurian legends chronicling how Merlin helped Arthur become king of Britain.

What's for Lunch, Charley? - A story about a young boy's experiences during lunchtime at school.

John F. Kennedy: Voice of Hope - A biography of President Kennedy written for young readers, covering his life from childhood through presidency.

The Wave - The true story of a high school experiment that demonstrated how fascism can take root, based on events in a California school.

Silent Night: The Song from Heaven - Recounts the history of how the famous Christmas carol "Silent Night" was written and first performed.

The Kitchen Knight - An adaptation of the medieval tale of Sir Gareth from Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur.

The Fire Bringer - A retelling of the Greek myth of Prometheus bringing fire to humankind.

Harold the Herald - A medieval tale about a young herald learning the rules and customs of heraldry.

The Arrow and the Lamp - A story about the life of Florence Nightingale and her contributions to nursing.

Susan Cooper specializes in fantasy based on Arthurian legends and British folklore, writing works like The Dark Is Rising sequence. She incorporates mythology and history into her stories in a way that mirrors Hodges's treatment of classic tales.

Virginia Hamilton writes children's literature that blends folklore, fantasy, and cultural heritage into compelling narratives. Her work includes retellings of traditional tales and original stories that focus on history and heritage, similar to Hodges's approach.

Lloyd Alexander creates fantasy works heavily influenced by Welsh mythology and medieval legends. His Chronicles of Prydain series demonstrates the same careful attention to traditional storytelling and mythological elements that characterizes Hodges's work.

Katherine Paterson writes stories that combine historical settings with compelling character development. Her works address complex themes while maintaining accessibility for young readers, reflecting Hodges's ability to adapt sophisticated material for children.

Jane Yolen retells traditional tales and creates original fantasy stories drawing from folklore and mythology. Her work spans picture books to novels, incorporating historical elements and traditional storytelling techniques like Hodges.