Speakers List
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
E-mail: sallykeehn@aol.com
Telephone: 610-770-0274
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