Laurie Lawlor

Laurie Lawlor is the author of 42 works of award-winning fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults. Her most recent STEAM picture book biography, FEARLESS WORLD TRAVELER, ADVENTURES OF MARIANNE NORTH, BOTANICAL ARTIST, will be published summer 2021. SUPER WOMEN: SIX SCIENTISTS WHO CHANGED THE WORLD (Holiday House), middle grade nonfiction, profiles remarkable pioneers in fields ranging from astronomy and mathematics to cartography and biochemistry. Published in 2017, Super Women was named 2018 Outstanding Science Trade Book by Children’s Book Council (CBC) and NSTA. BIG TREE DOWN! (Holiday House), a lively picture book released in spring 2018, celebrates cooperation during a community emergency. Lawlor was awarded the 2012 John Burroughs Riverby Award for Excellence in Nature Writing for RACHEL CARSON AND HER BOOK THAT CHANGED THE WORLD, featured on the ALA Amelia Bloomer Award List. She has taught creative writing at many colleges, including Northwestern University, and workshops throughout the Midwest.

“I grew up in a large, theatrical family. I had stage fright and no musical or acting skills,” says Lawlor, who decided to become a writer in third grade partially to ensure that her parents remembered her name. “I always loved to terrify my younger brothers and sisters with scary stories about imaginary creatures living in our house. I discovered that if I made the stories convincing enough, my brothers and sisters would not go into the attic—a place that became my refuge for peace and quiet.”

After more than 46 years as a published writer, Lawlor says, “Writing fiction and nonfiction has allowed me to pursue my favorite challenges: digging deep into history, exploring the outdoors, and investigating fascinating individuals from distant times and places.”

Lawlor is devoted to environmental activism and is involved in citizen coalitions working to restore a watershed and wetlands in southeastern Wisconsin. Her hope is to inspire readers of all ages to go outdoors, discover wonder in nature, and become stewards of the Earth in ways big and small.

Visit her website at: www.laurielawlor.com