Kelly Barnhill (born Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1973) writes books for children. She received the 2017 Newbery Medal for The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Other works include The Witch’s Boy and The Unlicensed Magician. Children can visit her website at: Kelly Barnhill.
Willa Cather (born Winchester, Virginia, 1873; died New York, New York, April 24, 1947) was an author. One of her most famous works, published in 1913, is O Pioneers! She won the 1922 Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours. You can read many of her works at: Project Gutenberg.
Harry Chapin (born Greenwich Village, New York, 1942; died in an automobile crash, Long Island, New York, July 1981) was a folk singer and composer. Idea: Harry Chapin received the Special Congressional Medal of Honor for his concerns about world hunger. See if you can find recordings of his work. Play them. See if students would like to collect canned food for one of the nearby food banks.
Richard Warren Sears (born Stewartville, Minnesota, 1863; died Waukesha, Wisconsin, September 28, 1914) was working as a railroad station agent. He then began to sell watches via the mail. He formed a partnership with Alvah C. Roebuck, who repaired the watches. They created Sears, Roebuck and Company. At first it was strictly a mail order company. However, later they opened their first retail store. Sears and Roebuck formed a team. Children could list other famous teams (for example, Laurel and Hardy, or peanut butter and jelly).
John Tunis (born Boston, Massachusetts, 1889; died Essex, Connecticut, February 4, 1975) was a writer and sportscaster. He was also the author of at least 24 sports books for children, including The Kid from Tomkinville. Children can learn more at: John Tunis.
