Picture a North Carolina storyteller who spun small-town mysteries with humor and heart—meet Sheila Turnage! Best known for her award-winning 'Mo & Dale Mysteries' series, Turnage crafts tales that blend Southern charm, quirky characters, and gripping whodunits. Her Newbery Honor-winning novel, 'Three Times Lucky,' introduced readers to the spunky Miss Moses LoBeau, a sixth-grader whose adventures in Tupelo Landing have captivated young readers worldwide.
Born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Turnage’s stories are steeped in the rhythms of rural life, drawing from her upbringing on a tobacco farm. Her unique blend of wit, mystery, and heartfelt storytelling has made her a beloved voice in children’s literature, inspiring readers to embrace curiosity and courage.
The Making of Sheila Turnage
Growing up on a family farm in eastern North Carolina, Sheila Turnage was surrounded by storytellers—relatives who spun tales as vibrant as the fields around them. From first grade, she knew writing was her calling, thanks to a teacher who praised her early story and had her read it to third graders. Instead of pursuing creative writing in college, Turnage studied cultural anthropology at East Carolina University, a choice that shaped her ability to observe and weave the nuances of human experience into her work. Her love for books like 'The Hardy Boys' and 'Peter Pan' fueled her passion for stories that whisk readers away.
Before diving into children’s fiction, Turnage honed her craft through journalism and nonfiction, penning works like 'Compass American Guides: North Carolina' and 'Haunted Inns of the Southeast.' Her decades-long participation in a creative writing class at Pitt Community College, under the guidance of instructor Patsy O’Leary, refined her storytelling, proving that perseverance and community are key to a writer’s journey.
Sheila Turnage’s Unforgettable Stories
Turnage’s 'Mo & Dale Mysteries' series is her crowning achievement, starting with 'Three Times Lucky' (2012), a Newbery Honor winner and New York Times bestseller. The story follows Mo LoBeau, a girl washed ashore in a hurricane, and her best friend Dale Earnhardt Johnson III as they solve a murder mystery in the fictional Tupelo Landing. Turnage’s prose sparkles with humor, vivid metaphors, and a Southern cadence that makes every page feel like a conversation with a witty friend.
The series continues with 'The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing' (2014), where Mo and Dale tackle a ghostly mystery, and 'The Odds of Getting Even' (2015), which dives into family secrets and a jailbreak. The finale, 'The Law of Finders Keepers' (2018), wraps up their adventures with a treasure hunt and emotional farewells. Turnage’s standalone novel, 'Island of Spies' (2022), transports readers to World War II-era Hatteras Island, blending espionage with her signature spunk. Her writing, often compared to Scout Finch’s voice in 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' balances humor, heart, and suspense, making her stories resonate with readers aged 10 to 100.
Turnage’s style is a love letter to North Carolina’s small-town culture, with slow-moving creeks, quirky cafes, and tight-knit communities. Her use of “undercover poetry” adds depth, turning simple scenes into vivid tapestries that linger in readers’ minds.
Why Sheila Turnage Matters
Sheila Turnage’s work has left an indelible mark on children’s literature, inspiring young readers to embrace their curiosity and courage. Her Newbery Honor for 'Three Times Lucky' opened doors to school visits across the U.S., where she shares her love of writing and storytelling. Fans often tell her that her books sparked a newfound love for reading, a testament to her ability to connect through humor and heart. Her stories, rooted in North Carolina’s landscapes and culture, celebrate the beauty of small-town life while tackling universal themes of friendship, family, and resilience.
Turnage’s journey from anthropology student to award-winning author shows that storytelling can emerge from unexpected paths. Her work reminds us that even in a tiny town like Tupelo Landing, big adventures await those who dare to chase them.
- Born: Jacksonville, North Carolina
- Key Works: 'Three Times Lucky,' 'The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing,' 'The Odds of Getting Even,' 'The Law of Finders Keepers,' 'Island of Spies'
- Awards: Newbery Honor (2013), E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor, Edgar Award finalist
- Fun Fact: She lives on her grandparents’ farm with her husband, dog, chickens, and goats.
Snag 'Three Times Lucky' and dive into Sheila Turnage’s hilarious, heartwarming mysteries! You’ll be hooked on Mo and Dale’s adventures before you can say 'Tupelo Landing!'