About the Author

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in New York, Paula Danziger knew since second grade that she wanted to be a writer. Beginning her career as a teacher, Danziger taught at the junior high, high school, college levels. She received her Masters Degree in reading and during that time she wrote her first bestselling novel, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. She returned to teaching, but the success of her book encouraged her to become a full-time writer. It was non-stop for Danziger since then. Among her titles are: the enormously popular Amber Brown books as well as Remember Me To Harold Square, The Divorce Express, and Can You Sue Your Parents For Malpractice?

Danziger received numerous honors, including: Parent's Choice Awards, International Reading Association - Children's Book Council Awards, a IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award and many nominations for state reading and library association awards.

Known as a flamboyantly funny and deeply honest writer and speaker, Paula Danziger knew how to relate to young readers at their level. She was vital, funny, and compassionate. She knew how kids felt, what made them laugh, what they wore, collected, read, and played with. From collecting novelty toys that would make any teacher cringe, to wearing jangly earrings, funky glasses and shoes covered with beads and sequins, Paula Danziger had a direct line into kids' hearts and funnybones. She will be missed always.


In Paula's memory, The Amber Brown Fund has been established to bring authors and illustrators to schools and libraries which otherwise could not afford them. Donations may be sent to The Amber Brown Fund/ SCBWI Museum of Children’s Books, 8271 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Tony Ross lives in London, England.

Reviews

The feisty series inaugurated in "Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon" is not just for middle graders anymore. ("Publishers Weekly", starred review)

K-Gr 3-From the beginning of his first day of first grade at his new school, Marvin feels as though he is "one too many." First, he gets lost at school, then when he finds his class, his teacher isn't expecting him so he doesn't have a name card or a place to sit. As the days go on, things only get worse for Marvin because everyone in his class can read the new words that they are learning except for him. When his teacher sends a note home asking the parents to read with their children, Marvin doesn't show it to his parents because he thinks they are too busy with their farm and he doesn't want to be a bother. Finally, during a snow storm when everyone is stuck inside, Marvin's family realizes that Marvin can't read. Marvin's dad tells him that he was the last one in his class to read, and Marvin and his dad sit down and read together. Christina Moore uses a variety of voices to distinguish between the various characters in this beginning reader written by Katherine Paterson and illustrated by Jane Clark Brown (HarperCollins, 2001). Her narration reflects all of the dejection, sorrow, pain and, eventually, joy that Marvin experiences. Occasional moments of background music enhance the story by accenting the emotions and actions. A great choice for individual or class use with beginning readers.-Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

The feisty series inaugurated in "Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon" is not just for middle graders anymore. ("Publishers Weekly", starred review)