Picture a Chicago-born storyteller who crafts tales of teenage misfits soaring through history and heartache—meet Sherri L. Smith! With a knack for blending gritty realism and heartfelt emotion, this award-winning young adult author has carved a unique space in contemporary literature. From her World War II epic Flygirl to the dystopian Orleans, Smith’s stories capture the messy, beautiful journey of finding one’s place in the world.
Born in 1971, Smith’s life is as dynamic as her novels. Her eclectic career—from stop-motion animation to construction work—infuses her writing with authenticity and depth, making her a standout voice for young readers navigating identity and belonging.
The Making of Sherri L. Smith
Sherri L. Smith grew up across the U.S., from Staten Island to Chicago, with stints in Washington, D.C., and beyond. Her parents’ divorce at age twelve and frequent moves shaped her understanding of displacement, a theme that echoes in her work. After earning a BFA in Film from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she worked on Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! and at Disney TV Animation. Later, a surprising pivot to construction at LAX gave her time to pen her debut novel, Lucy the Giant, launching her literary career.
Smith’s diverse experiences—coupled with her studies in humanities and certifications in enchantivism and mythology—lend her stories a rich, layered perspective. Her ability to weave personal and cultural narratives into fiction reflects a life spent exploring the intersections of art, identity, and resilience.
Sherri L. Smith’s Unforgettable Stories
Sherri L. Smith’s novels are a masterclass in capturing the teenage struggle for identity. Her breakout, Flygirl (2009), follows Ida Mae Jones, a young Black woman passing as white to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots during WWII. Hailed by the Washington Post as a best book of the year, it won the California Book Awards Gold Medal for its poignant exploration of race and ambition.
Lucy the Giant (2002), Smith’s debut, introduces Lucy Otswego, a towering Alaskan teen escaping an abusive home for a crabbing boat adventure. Its raw honesty earned it an ALA Best Book for Young People nod. Orleans (2013), a dystopian tale set in a hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, blends Afrofuturism and survival, earning accolades like the Bank Street College Best Children’s Book. The Blossom and the Firefly (2021), a WWII romance between Japanese teens, nabbed the Golden Kite Award for its lyrical depth.
Smith’s style is vivid and immersive, blending historical and speculative elements with a focus on marginalized voices. Her characters—often young women facing societal barriers—resonate with readers for their courage and complexity, making her a beloved figure in young adult fiction.
Why Sherri L. Smith Matters
Sherri L. Smith’s impact lies in her ability to give voice to the overlooked. Her stories tackle race, gender, and identity with nuance, offering young readers mirrors to see themselves and windows to understand others. Works like Flygirl and Orleans have landed on state reading lists and earned Amelia Bloomer and ALA honors, cementing her influence in young adult literature.
Beyond novels, Smith’s comics (like Avatar: The High Ground) and nonfiction (like Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen?) broaden her reach, while her teaching at Hamline University nurtures the next generation of writers. Her legacy is one of empathy, inspiring teens to embrace their unique stories.
- Born: 1971, Chicago, Illinois
- Key Works: Flygirl, Lucy the Giant, Orleans, The Blossom and the Firefly
- Awards: California Book Awards Gold Medal, Golden Kite Award, ALA Best Books for Young People
Snag Flygirl or Orleans and dive into Sherri L. Smith’s vibrant world of resilience and discovery!