Picture a storyteller who weaves heartfelt tales from a childhood in Ohio to boarding schools in Switzerland—meet Sharon Creech! This American author has enchanted young readers with her children’s novels, blending humor and heart to tackle life’s big questions. As the first person to win both the Newbery Medal and the Carnegie Medal, Creech’s stories resonate across cultures, inviting readers into worlds of adventure and self-discovery.
Born in 1945, Creech’s journey from a noisy Cleveland suburb to global literary fame is as captivating as her books. Her unique perspective, shaped by family road trips and teaching abroad, infuses her work with authenticity and warmth, making her a beloved voice in children’s literature.
The Making of Sharon Creech
Sharon Creech was born on July 29, 1945, in South Euclid, Ohio, where she grew up in a lively household with her parents, Ann and Arvel, sister Sandy, and brothers Dennis, Doug, and Tom. Summers spent on her cousins’ farm in Quincy, Kentucky, sparked her imagination, later inspiring the fictional Bybanks, Kentucky, in her novels. At Hiram College, literature and writing courses ignited her passion for storytelling. After earning a master’s degree from George Mason University, Creech moved to England in 1979, teaching English at The American School in Switzerland (TASIS). This global experience shaped her worldview and fueled her writing career, which began with adult novels before she found her true calling in children’s literature.
Sharon Creech’s Unforgettable Stories
Creech’s novels are known for their emotional depth, humor, and relatable young protagonists navigating family, identity, and loss. Her breakthrough, Walk Two Moons (1994), follows Salamanca Tree Hiddle on a cross-country journey to find her missing mother. Inspired by a fortune cookie proverb and Creech’s own childhood road trip, it won the 1995 Newbery Medal. Bloomability (1998) draws on Creech’s time in Switzerland, chronicling a girl’s adventures at a boarding school. Love That Dog (2001), written in free verse, captures a boy’s reluctant embrace of poetry, earning a Carnegie Medal commendation. Ruby Holler (2002), a tale of orphaned twins finding home in the Appalachian Mountains, secured the Carnegie Medal, cementing Creech’s transatlantic acclaim.
Her style blends serious themes—grief, independence, and belonging—with a light touch, often using humor to soften life’s edges. Whether in narrative prose or verse, Creech’s stories reflect her knack for turning personal experiences into universal truths, with settings like Bybanks grounding her work in a sense of place.
Why Sharon Creech Matters
Sharon Creech’s impact on children’s literature lies in her ability to craft stories that speak to young readers while resonating with adults. Her dual Newbery and Carnegie wins highlight her rare ability to bridge American and British audiences, blending cultural perspectives with universal themes. By embedding real-life experiences into her fiction, she creates authentic, emotionally rich narratives that encourage empathy and self-reflection. Her influence extends to inspiring young writers, as she advises them to “read a lot and write a lot,” drawing from the world around them. Creech’s legacy endures in classrooms and libraries, where her books continue to spark imaginations.
- Born: July 29, 1945, South Euclid, Ohio
- Key Works: Walk Two Moons, Bloomability, Love That Dog, Ruby Holler
- Awards: Newbery Medal (1995), Carnegie Medal (2002), Newbery Honor (2001)
- Fun Fact: Her fictional Bybanks, Kentucky, is inspired by her cousins’ farm in Quincy, Kentucky.
Snag Walk Two Moons or Love That Dog and dive into Sharon Creech’s heartfelt world of stories that make you laugh, cry, and think!