Sally Miller Keehn
As a former young adult librarian and
current writer of historical and contemporary novels for ages 10 and
up, Sally Keehn enjoys speaking to grades five and up about the writing
process and 
how students can tap into and enjoy that process by
exploring the world inside and outside of themselves. When she visits a
school, Sally's day usually includes up to three forty-five minute
presentations that may include a slide show, historical artifacts, a
game, and primary sources to reveal how a writer of historical novels
brings the past to life for readers. She talks about where she finds
her ideas, research, the creative process and the extensive revisions
required to bring a novel to life. Sally also does classroom visits -
question and answer sessions - in which she will often address the
business side of publishing, illustration, foreign language editions
(two of her novels have come out in several foreign languages) and more
personal questions such as - "How much do you make?" The give and take
discussion is fun, often lively and always full of surprises.
Published Books
I Am Regina. Philomel Books, 1991. Dell Yearling Book, 1993. Based on a true story, ten-year-old Reginia is kidnapped by Indians during the French and Indian Wars. During her nine-year captivity, Regina becomes almost Indian herself, but never gives up hope of one day being reunited with her white mother.
From Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 1991. Starred Review.
"A profoundly moving evocation of a terrible experience mitigated by faith, courage, and humanity, told with simplicity, compassion and admirable restraint."Awards
1992 Carolyn W. Field Award - Pennsylvania Library Association 1992 Jefferson Cup Honor Book CBC-NCSS Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies IRA Young Adults' Choices New York Public Library's 1992 Books for the Teen Age Texas Lone Star Reading List 1994-1995.
Moon of Two Dark Horses. Philomel Books, 1995. Dell Yearling book, 1997. Coshmoo and Daniel have been best friends as long as the Delaware Indians and settlers have lived peacefully along the Susquehanna River. But now the river is red with blood as settlers and Delaware Indians are killed in the Revolutionary War. The British king wants Coshmoo's people on his side in the war against American settlers. No matter how dangerous it is, Coshmoo and Daniel vow to remain loyal friends. One day that friendship comes up against the ultimate test.
From Booklist, Nov. 15, 1995. Starred Review.
"Keehn plunges the reader deeply into her narrator's mind and heart,...An intricately layered and culturally and historically enlightening book that truly deserves a home in most collections." From Publishers Weekly, Oct. 2, 1995. Starred Review. "(Keehn's) story seems so real that the reader will not want to escape its grip."Awards: New York Public Library's Best Books List 1996 Bank Street Children's Book of the Year
The First Horse I See. Philomel Books, 1999. Puffin Books, 2,000. "A promise is a promise, and before she died, Willo's mother made her father promise Willo could finally have a horse. Her grandfather, her best friend during those difficult days, warns her: don't fall in love with the first horse that you see. But Willo does -- with a feisty ex-racehorse who has been mistreated by her former owners. Willo is convinced she can train her, despite her father's disapproval. After all, she has the trainer Diana by her side, and the strikingly handsome Colin, but even she knows that in the end it is she alone who will take on the wild Tess.
From School Library Journal, July 1999. Starred Review. "Willo is a resilient and believable heroine with whom readers will empathize, making this well-written story a worthwhile and entertaining read."
Interested in
an author visit?
Contact:
Sally Keehn
1691 Lehigh Pkwy.
North, Allentown, Pa. 18103
Telephone: 610-770-0274
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