Karen English (Author)

Karen English

Multi-cultural author Karen English has been writing children's books since 1992. This elementary school teacher and mother of four celebrated her first children's literature publishing success with Neeny Coming, Neeny Going, a picture book about two cousins growing up in a rural area in South Carolina. In the years following, English published a few more picture books, including Hot Day on Abbott Avenue which was illustrated by Javaka Steptoe and her most recent chapter book series for early readers, Nikki and Deja. 

Many of English's books focus on multi-racial friendships, feuding friends, resolving differences, and the internal struggles of young females facing a range of controversial issues from discrimination to questioning their own religious beliefs. English's book Francie, originally intended as  a picture book, evolved into a novel which was given a Coretta Scott King Honor by the American Library Association in 2000. Quoted in a Publishers Weekly interview English spoke toward continuous persistence as an author, "You have to remember publishing is a business, and not to take it personally. I count every personal response from an editor as a success. Even if your book doesn't fit their list, it means you caught their eye."  


Bibliography of the work for the author:
English, K. (2010). Nikki and Deja: The newsy newsletter. Ill. Laura Freeman. Clarion: New York, NY.
English, K. (2009). Nikki and Deja: Birthday blues. Ill. Laura Freeman. Clarion: New York, NY.
English, K. (2007). Nikki and Deja. Ill. Laura Freeman. Clarion: New York, NY.
English, K. (2005). The baby on the way. Ill. Sean Qualls. Farrar, Straus: New York, NY.
English, K. (2004). Speak to me: (And I will listen between the lines). Ill. Amy June Bates. Farrar,
     Straus: New York, NY.
English, K. (2004). Hot Day on Abbott Avenue. Ill. Javaka Steptoe. Clarion: New York, NY.
English, K. (2001). Strawberry Moon. Farrar, Strauss: New York, NY.
English, K. (2000). Speak English for us, Marisol! Ill. Enrique O. Sanchez. Albert Whitman: Morton
     Grove, IL.
English, K. (1999). Francie. Farrar, Straus: New York, NY.
English, K. (1999). Nadia's hands. Ill. Jonathan Weiner. Boyds Mills Press: Honesdale, PA.
English, K. (1998). Just right stew. Ill. Anna Rich. Boyds Mills Press: Honesdale, PA.
English, K. (1996). Big wind coming! Ill. Cedric Lucas. Albert Whitman: Morton Grove, IL.
English, K. (1996). Neeny coming, Neeny going. Ill. Synthia Saint James. BridgeWater Books:
     Mahwah, NJ.


Awards:
2005 recipient of the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award
2005 ALA Notable Children’s Book Award  for Hot Day on Abbott Avenue.
1999 recipient of the Coretta Scott King Honor for Francie
Big Wind Coming! and Speak English for Us, Marisol! have been
      featured by the Anti-Defamation League as recommended
      multicultural and anti-bias books for children

Interview with author Karen English:
The Brown Bookshelf Interview 


Six Learning Activities Using Karen English Books:
Speak to Me (and I Will Listen Between the Lines)
Classroom Cookbook (Just Right Stew)


Resources:
Something About the Author. Volume 202. pp40-42
Common Core CT Standards