Writers and Writing – Page 7 – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library

Elie Wiesel

Writer, humanitarian, Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel was born on this day in 1928 in Romania. Check out some of his books and learn more about this amazing person.

Shel Silverstein was born on this day in Chicago in 1928. He is the author of such celebrated works as The Giving Tree. In recent times he might be best known from a reference in Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Jerry Spinelli

Jerry Spinelli was born on this day in 1941. He is the author of many wonderul books for childrena and young adults, including Maniac Magee, which won the Newberry Medal in 1980.

Philippa Gregory

Acclaimed historical fiction author Philippa Gregory was born on this day in 1954. Changeling is Book One of a new young adult series, Order of Darkness, that combines historical fiction and fantasy.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen, one of English literature’s most beloved authors, was born on this day in 1775. Her novels are read and loved by people all over the world. Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma are among her most popular works. In the last decade or so there has been a massive surge in popularity for Austen’s novels. This has resulted in many films and television adaptations of her books. Moreover, another sign of Austen’s popularity is the plethora of new stories based on her works (e.g. Longbourn), including some strange mash-ups (e.g. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), as well as many stories that are simply about the fans of Austen (e.g. Jane Austen Book Club).

My personal favourite among Austen’s novels is Pride and Prejudice.

Sci-Fi Greats

Two Science Fiction Masters were born on this day. Arthur C. Clarke, the author of such great books as the landmark novel 2001: A Space Odyssey, was born in 1917 . Philip K. Dick was born on this day in 1928. He is the author of numerous Sci-Fi cult favourites, including The Man in the High Castle, and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (which was adapted for the screen as “Blade Runner.”)

For more on these great Sci-Fi writers, check out:

Shirley Jackson

Writer Shirley Jackson was born on this day in 1916. She is probably best known for her novel, The Haunting of Hill House, and for her short stories, particularly “The Lottery.”

Tamora Pierce

Prolific Fantasy author Tamora Pierce was born on this day in 1953.

C.S. Lewis

Clive Staples Lewis, the author of the Chronicles of Narnia, and much, much more, was born on this day in Belfast, Ireland, in 1898. Jack, as he was known to friends and family, was a professor of literature at both Oxford and Cambridge, as well as a prolific author of both fiction and non-fiction. More on C.S. Lewis.

Bram Stoker

The author of Dracula was born on this day in 1847 in Ireland. Check out bramstokerfestival.com for more on the life of Stoker and Dracula. You can borrow several different versions of the Dracula story from our collection, including several graphic novels.

Katherine Paterson

Author Katherine Paterson was born on this day in 1932. She is the author of two Newberry Medal winning novels, Jacob Have I Loved and Bridge to Terabithia. She has also written many other fine novels for children and young adults.