Mara Rockliff

Mara Rockliff is an American author of books for children and teens.[1] The American Library Association selected her book Gingerbread for Liberty! as an ALA Notable Children's Book.

Mara Rockliff
Pen nameLewis B. Montgomery
Eleanor May
Nan Walker
OccupationWriter
NationalityAmerican
Alma materBrown University
GenreChildren's literature
Picture books
SubjectHistorical nonfiction educational books
Notable awardsALA Notable Children’s Book
Golden Kite Award
Charlotte Zolotow Award
Years active1991 to date
Website
mararockliff.com/me.html

Early life

Rockliff's favorite books from childhood include: the Besty-Tacy series, The Chronicles of Narnia, Freaky Friday, The Great Brain series, The Swiss Family Robinson, A Wrinkle in Time, and books by Edward Eager or E. Nesbitt.[2]

When she was in high school, she was editor of the literary magazine and newspaper, and sold a piece to Seventeen magazine.[3]

Rockliff attended Brown University.[4] She was a member of St. Anthony Hall (aka the Fraternity of Delta Psi).[4]

Career

Rockliff has been a professional writer since 1991.[3] She specializes in historical picture books for children, especially titles about people that were ignored, devalued, or erased from traditional history.[1][5] She considers herself a "research geek."[6] To create her books, she studies interviews, newspapers, oral histories, and primary source materials.[7]

She also wrote the Milo and Jazz Mysteries series using the pen name Lewis B. Montgomery.[1] She says, "I took my pen name from the authors of three of my favorite books: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Charlotte’s Web; and Anne of Green Gables."[8]

Rockliff also wrote volumes for the Mouse Math series as Eleanor May.[9] School Library Journal wrote, "These titles present basic concepts, thinking skills, and reading skills all wrapped up in engaging stories... Not only do the adorable mice introduce math, but they also share lessons about helping others...and thinking about the best way to solve problems. Consider these books first purchases."

She also wrote books in the Math Matters series as Eleanor May, and other Math Matters and educational books as Nan Walker.[10][9] Rockliff says, "I use my real name for the books that are totally my own idea, and my pen names for books that editors ask me to write."[3]

Publications

As Mara Rockliff
  • Pieces of Another World (Arbordale Publishing, 2005) ISBN 9780976494324[11]
  • Next to an Ant (Rookie Readers, 2008) ISBN 0516268309
  • Get Real: What Kind of World are YOU Buying? (Running Press Kids, 2010) ISBN 9780762437450[12]
  • The Busiest Street in Town (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012) ISBN 9780375985522[13]
  • Me and Momma and Big John (Candlewick, 2012) ISBN 9780763643591[14]
  • My Heart Will Not Sit Down (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012) ISBN 9780375987281[15]
  • Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution (Clarion Books, 2015) ISBN 9780544130012[16]
  • Chik Chak Shabbat (Candlewick, 2016) ISBN 9780763688950 [17]
  • Anything But Ordinary Addie: The True Story of Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic (Candlewick, 2016) ISBN 9780763668419[18]
  • Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France (Candlewick, 2017) ISBN 9780763695156[19]
  • Born to Swing: Lil Hardin Armstrong's Life in Jazz (Calkins Creek, 2017) ISBN 9781629795553
  • Lights! Camera! Alice!: The Thrilling True Adventures of the First Woman Filmmaker (Chronicle Books, 2018) ISBN 9781452141343[20]
  • Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles (Candlewick, 2019) ISBN 9781536208368[21]
  • Billie Jean!: How Tennis Star Billie Jean King Changed Women's Sports (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books, 2019) ISBN 9780525517795[22]
  • Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope (Candlewick, 2019) ISBN 9780763688950[23]
  • Jefferson Measures a Moose (Candlewick, 2020) ISBN 9780763688950[24]
  • The Girl Who Could Fix Anything: Beatrice Shilling, World War II Engineer (Candlewick, 2021) ISBN 9781536212525[25]
  • Try It!: How Frieda Caplan Changed the Way We Eat (Beach Lane Books, 2021) ISBN 9781534460072[26]
  • Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott (Random House Studios, 2022) ISBN 9781524720643[27]
  • A Perfect Fit: How Lena "Lane" Bryant Changed the Shape of Fashion (Clarion Books, 2022) ISBN 9780358125433[28]
  • The Grudge Keeper (Peachtree, 2022) ISBN 9781682634776[29]

As Lewis B. Montgomery
  • The Case of the Stinky Socks (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #1), Kane Press, 2009, ISBN 9781575652856[30]
  • The Case of the Poisoned Pig (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #2), Kane Press, 2009, ISBN 9781575652863[31]
  • The Case of the Haunted Haunted House (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #3) Kane Press, 2009, ISBN 9781575652955[32]
  • The Case of the Amazing Zelda (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #4), Kane Press, 2009. ISBN 9781575652962[33]
  • The Case of the July 4th Jinx (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #5), Kane Press, 2010, ISBN 9781575653082[34]
  • The Case of the Missing Moose (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #6), Kane Press, 2011, ISBN 9781575653228[35]
  • The Case of the Purple Pool (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #7), Kane Press, 2011, ISBN 9781575653426[36]
  • The Case of the Diamonds in the Desk (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #8), Kane Press, 2012, ISBN 9781575653914[37]
  • The Case of the Crooked Campaign (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #9), Kane Press, 2012, ISBN 9781575654362[38]
  • The Case of the Superstar Scam (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #10), Kane Press, 2013 ISBN 9781575655192[39]
  • The Case of the Locked Box (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #11), Kane Press, 2013, ISBN 9781575656267[40]
  • The Case of the Buried Bones (Milo & Jazz Mysteries #12), Kane Press, 2014, ISBN 9781575656410[41]

As Eleanor May
  • The Best Mother's Day Ever (Social Studies Connects), Kane Press, 2010, ISBN 978-1-57565-299-3[9]
  • Albert's Amazing Snail (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2012, ISBN 9781575654423[9]
  • Albert is not Scared (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2013, ISBN 9781575656298[9]
  • Albert's Bigger than Big Idea (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2013, ISBN 9781575655222[9]
  • A Beach for Albert (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2013, ISBN 9781575655314[9]
  • Mice of Ice (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2013, ISBN 9781575655284[9]
  • Albert the Muffin Makes (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2014, ISBN 978-1575656328[9]
  • Albert Starts School (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2015, ISBN 978-1-57565-743-1[9]
  • Lose in the Mouseum (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2015, ISBN 978-1-57565-645-8[9]
  • Albert Helps Out (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2017, ISBN 978-1-57565-857-5[9]
  • Albert Doubles the Fun (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2017, ISBN 978-1-57565-834-6[9]
  • Where's Albert? (Mouse Math Series) Kane Press, 2017, ISBN 978-1-57565-855-1[9]
  • Let's Go, Snow! (Math Matters Series), Kane Press, 2017, ISBN 978-1-57565-807-0[9]

As Nan Walker
  • Otto and the New Girl (Math Matters Series), Kane Press, 2017, ISBN 9781575658643[42]
  • Spork Out of Orbit (Book 1), Kane Press, 2016, ISBN 9781575658193[43]
  • The Midnight Kid (Science Solves It! Series), Kane Press, 2017, ISBN 9781575652382[44]

Awards
  • 2011 Green Earth Book Award Honor Book for Get Real: What Kind of World Are You Buying?[45]
  • 2013 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award Honor for My Heart Will Not Sit Down[46]
  • 2013 Golden Kite Award for Me and Momma and Big John[47]
  • 2013 Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor for Me and Momma and Big John
  • 2015 Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award for The Grudge Keepers[48]
  • 2016 Cook Prize for Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France[49]
  • 2016 Orbis Pictus Award Honor book for Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France[50]
  • 2016 ALA Notable Children's Book for Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution[51]
  • 2017 NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Books for Young People for Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles[21]
  • 2018 Garden State Children's Book Award for Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution[52]
  • 2018 Land of Enchantment Book Award for Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution[53]
  • 2020 Selection, Sydney Taylor Book Award, Association of Jewish Libraries for Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope[23]
  • 2021 Eureka! Excellence in Nonfiction Award Honor Title for Try It!: How Frieda Caplan Changed the Way We Eat[54]

Personal

Rockliff lives with her family in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.[1]

References
  1. "Mara Rockliff". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  2. Vernick, Audrey (2012-02-12). "The Work of a Community: Mara Rockliff Interview". Literary Friendships. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  3. "Author Mara Rockliff - Frequently Asked Questions". mararockliff.com. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  4. "Alumni in Print" (PDF). (2013) The Review. St. Anthony Hall. Winter: 11.
  5. Rockliff, Mara (2020-08-18). "Rescuing Our Heroines by Mara Rockliff". Nerdy Book Club. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  6. Lodge, Sally (December 9, 2014). "'Gingerbread for Liberty' Serves Up Slice of Revolutionary History". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  7. Kalb, Deborah (2018-03-20). "Q&A with Mara Rockliff". Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  8. Schu, John (November 9, 2012). "Author Mara Rockliff". WATCH. CONNECT. READ. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  9. "Eleanor May". Penguin Random House Elementary Education. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  10. "Nan Walker". Astra Publishing House. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  11. "Pieces of Another World". www.arbordalepublishing.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  12. "Get Real: What Kind of World are YOU Buying? (Paperback) | Prairie Lights Books". www.prairielightsbooks.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  13. "The Busiest Street in Town by Mara Rockliff: 9780375985522 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  14. "Me and Momma and Big John by Mara Rockliff: 9780763643591 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  15. "My Heart Will Not Sit Down by Mara Rockliff: 9780375987281 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  16. "Gingerbread For Liberty!". HarperCollins. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  17. "Chik Chak Shabbat by Mara Rockliff: 9780763688950 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  18. "Anything But Ordinary Addie". Candlewick Press. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  19. "Mesmerized by Mara Rockliff: 9780763695156 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  20. "Lights! Camera! Alice!". Chronicle Books. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  21. "Around America to Win the Vote by Mara Rockliff: 9781536208368 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  22. "Billie Jean! by Mara Rockliff: 9780525517795 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  23. "Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope by Mara Rockliff: 9780763689155 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  24. "Jefferson Measures a Moose by Mara Rockliff: 9780763694104 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  25. "The Girl Who Could Fix Anything: Beatrice Shilling, World War II Engineer by Mara Rockliff: 9781536212525 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  26. Try It!. Simon & Schuster. 2021-01-12. ISBN 978-1-5344-6007-2.
  27. "Sweet Justice by Mara Rockliff: 9781524720643 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  28. "A Perfect Fit". HarperCollins. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  29. "The Grudge Keeper by Mara Rockliff: 9781682634776 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  30. "The Case of the Stinky Socks (Book 1) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575652856 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  31. "The Case of the Poisoned Pig (Book 2) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575652863 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  32. "The Case of the Haunted Haunted House (Book 3) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575652955 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  33. "The Case of the Amazing Zelda (Book 4) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575652962 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  34. "The Case of the July 4th Jinx (Book 5) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575653082 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  35. "The Case of the Missing Moose (Book 6) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575653228 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  36. "The Case of the Purple Pool (Book 7) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575653426 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  37. "The Case of the Diamonds in the Desk (Book 8) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575653914 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  38. "The Case of the Crooked Campaign (Book 9) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575654362 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  39. "The Case of the Superstar Scam (Book 10) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575655192 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  40. "The Case of the Locked Box (Book 11) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575656267 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  41. "The Case of the Buried Bones (Book 12) by Lewis B. Montgomery: 9781575656410 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  42. "Otto and the New Girl". Astra Publishing House. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  43. "Spork Out of Orbit (Book 1)". Astra Publishing House. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  44. "The Midnight Kid". Astra Publishing House. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  45. "Green Earth Book Award | The Nature Generation". www.natgen.org. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  46. "Ezra Jack Keats Book Award, 1986-2022". www.teachingbooks.net. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  47. "Past Golden Kite Recipients". Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  48. "Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Awards". Association of Children's Librarians. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  49. "Past Winners". Bank Street College of Education. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  50. "NCTE Orbis Pictus Award: Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Past Winners 2010 - Present" (PDF). NCTS. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  51. "2016 Notable Children's Books". Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). 2016-12-12. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  52. "Garden State Children's Book Award 2009 - 2013" (PDF). Old Bridge Library. 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  53. Dekle, Deanne. "Land of Enchantment Book Award Winners for 2018 | Hitchhiker". Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  54. "California Reading Association - CYRM/Eureka". californiareading.org. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
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