(1908–94), U.S. author of historical fiction for children, born on Nov. 21, 1908, in Melrose, Mass. Each of Speare's books was meticulously researched so that historical details were appropriate for the period. Her characters were also well rounded, and she appealed to her readers by drawing them into history with ease. Speare studied at Smith College and graduated from Boston University with a bachelor's degree in 1930 and a master's degree in 1932. She later taught English in high schools in Massachusetts. She was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1959 for ‘The Witch of Blackbird Pond' (1958) and in 1962 for ‘The Bronze Bow' (1961). She also wrote ‘Calico Captive' (1957) and ‘Life in Colonial America' (1963), as well as a novel for adults, ‘The Prospering' (1967). Her last children's novel, ‘Sign of the Beaver' (1983), was selected as a Newbery Honor Book and won the Scott O'Dell award for historical fiction. In 1989 she received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her contributions to children's literature. Speare died on Nov. 15 , 1994. |