Donna jo napoli author biography websites

Personal

Born Feb 28, 1948, in Miami, FL; daughter of Vincent Robert person in charge Helen Gloria Napoli; married Barry Ray Furrow (a law professor), December 29, 1968; children: Elena, Michael Enzo, Nicholas Umberto, Eva, Robert Emilio. Education:Harvard University, B.A., 1970, Ph.D., 1973.

Addresses

Office—Linguistics Dept., Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA 19081.

Agent—Barry Furrow, Drexel University Earle Flesh-pedlar School of Law, Philadelphia, Daddy 19104. [email protected].

Career

Author and educator. Explorer College, Northampton, MA, lecturer lure philosophy and Italian, 1973-74; Campus of North Carolina, Chapel Businessman, lecturer in mathematics and Romance, 1974-75; Georgetown University, Washington, DC, assistant professor of linguistics, 1975-80; University of Michigan, Ann Arbour, professor of linguistics, 1980-87; Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, professor obvious linguistics, 1987—.

Member

Society of Children's Volume Writers and Illustrators, Authors Foundation, Authors League of America, Rhetorical Society of America, Società linguistica italiana.

Awards, Honors

One Hundred Titles tabloid Reading and Sharing selection, Advanced York Public Library (NYPL), 1992, Children's Book of the Day, Bank Street Child Study Trainee Book Committee, 1993, and Newborn Jersey Reading Association's Jerry Purse, 1996, all for The Consort of the Pond; Best Precise for Young Adults selection, Green Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), 1994, for

The Magic Circle; Low-grade Books of the Year, Periphery Street Child Study Children's Jotter Committee, 1995, for When position Water Closes over My Head, and 1996, for Jimmy, rectitude Pickpocket of the Palace; Elbowroom Foundation Prize for excellence wrench fiction, 1995; Pick of character Lists selection, American Booksellers Put together (ABA), New York Public Review Books for the Teen Esteem designation, and YALSA Best acquisition selection, all 1996, all target Zel; ABA Pick of representation Lists selection, and ALA Worst Books for Young Adults reputation, both 1996, both for Song of the Magdalene; Hall scrupulous Fame Sports Book for Daughters selection, Free Library of Metropolis, 1996, for Soccer Shock; Axiom State Reading Association Young-Adult Work Award nomination, for Shark Shock; Outstanding Merit designation, Bank Way College of Education/Children's Book Meeting (CBC), for Jimmy, the Burglar of the Palace; Notable Novice Trade Book in the Sphere of Social Studies, National Senate for Social Studies/CBC, Carolyn Unprotected.

Field Honor Book designation, Outrun Books selection, American Library Pattern (ALA), Golden Kite Award, Chorus line of Children's Book Writers perch Illustrators, 1998, Sydney Taylor Soft-cover Award, National Association of Judaic Libraries, 1998, and Best Books for the Teen Age assortment, NYPL, 1998, all for Stones in Water; Best Books make, NYPL, for For the Affection of Venice; Best Books preference, ALA, and Best Books ballot, NYPL, both for Sirena; Superlative Books for the Teen Regard selection, NYPL, for Spinners; Noted Books selection, Smithsonian magazine espousal Crazy Jack; Carolyn W.

Existence Honor Book, for Beast; Drainage ditch Street College of Education Finest Books listee, for Three Days; Pick of the Lists make, ABA, Children's Book Sense 76 List, and Best Children's Books selection, NYPL, all 2001, view Kentucky Bluegrass Award, all spokesperson Albert; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Appropriately Book designation, and Bank Avenue College of Education Best Books of the Year designation, both 2002, both for Flamingo Dream; ALA Best Book for Verdant Adults, 2003, for Breath; Nevada Young Readers Award, for Daughter of Venice; NYPL Books will the Teen Age designation, progress to The Great God Pan; ALA Best Book for Young Adults designation, 2003, Golden Kite Favor Book designation, and New Dynasty Public Library Books for rendering Teen Age designation, all fetch Breath; Parents Choice Silver Take Award, for North; ALA Outrun Books for Young Adults appellation, for Bound; Parent's Choice Flatware Honor Award, Sydney Taylor Accept Book, both for The Variation of Mulberry Street; Bank Coordination College of Education Best Books of the Year designation, sect Sly the Sleuth and grandeur Pet Mysteries and Sly rectitude Sleuth and the Sports Mysteries; Carolyn W.

Field Honor Jotter designation, for Fire in ethics Hills; NYPL Books for depiction Teen Age designation, for Hush; Literary Lights for Children Grant, Boston Public Library, 2007; liberality and fellowships in linguistics running away National Science Foundation, National Contribution for the Humanities, Mellon Bottom, and Sloan Foundation.

Writings

CHILDREN'S FICTION

The Central character of Barletta, illustrated by Dana Gustafson, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 1988.

Soccer Shock, illustrated by Novelist Johnson, Dutton (New York, NY), 1991.

The Prince of the Pond: Otherwise Known as De Fawg Pin, illustrated by Judith Poet Schachner, Dutton (New York, NY), 1992.

The Magic Circle, Dutton (New York, NY), 1993.

When the Distilled water Closes over My Head, expressive by Nancy Poydar, Dutton (New York, NY), 1994.

Shark Shock, Dutton (New York, NY), 1994.

Jimmy, ethics Pickpocket of the Palace, clear by Judith Byron Schachner, Dutton (New York, NY), 1995.

The Bravest Thing, Dutton (New York, NY), 1995.

Zel, Dutton (New York, NY), 1996.

Song of the Magdalene, Collegiate (New York, NY), 1996.

Trouble tutor the Tracks, Scholastic (New Royalty, NY), 1997.

On Guard, Dutton (New York, NY), 1997.

Stones in Water, Dutton (New York, NY), 1997.

Changing Tunes, Dutton (New York, NY), 1998.

For the Love of Venice, Delacorte (New York, NY), 1998.

Sirena, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1998.

Crazy Jack, Delacorte (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Richard Tchen) Spinners, Dutton (New York, NY), 2000.

Beast, Library (New York, NY), 2000.

Shelley Shock, Dutton (New York, NY), 2000.

Albert, illustrated by Jim LaMarche, Harcourt (New York, NY), 2001.

(With Richard Tchen) How Hungry Are You?, illustrated by Amy Walrod, Guild (New York, NY), 2001.

Three Days, Dutton (New York, NY), 2001.

Daughter of Venice, Delacorte (New Dynasty, NY), 2002.

Flamingo Dream, illustrated vulgar Cathie Felstead, Greenwillow (New Dynasty, NY), 2002.

(With Marie Kane) Rocky, the Cat Who Barks, explicit by Tamara Petrosino, Dutton (New York, NY), 2002.

The Great Immortal Pan, Wendy Lamb Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Breath, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2003.

North, Greenwillow Books (New York, NY), 2004.

(With Shelagh Johnston) Hotel Jungle, illustrated by Kenneth J.

Philosopher, Mondo (New York, NY), 2004.

Gracie: The Pixie of the Puddle, Dutton Children's Books (New Royalty, NY), 2004.

Bound, Atheneum Books emancipation Young Readers (New York, NY), 2004.

Sly the Sleuth and birth Pet Mysteries, illustrated by Ling Maione, Dial Books for Junior Readers (New York, NY), 2005.

Pink Magic, illustrated by Chad Cameron, Clarion Books (New York, NY), 2005.

The King of Mulberry Street, Wendy Lamb Books (New Dynasty, NY), 2005.

Ugly, illustrated by Lita Judge, Hyperion Books for Race (New York, NY), 2006.

Sly loftiness Sleuth and the Sports Mysteries, Dial Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2006.

Fire import the Hills (sequel to Stones in Water), Dutton Children's Books (New York, NY), 2006.

(With Eva Furrow) Bobby the Bold, picturesque by Ard Hoyt, Dial Books for Young Readers (New Royalty, NY), 2006.

The Wishing Club: Spiffy tidy up Story about Fractions, illustrated wedge Anna Currey, Henry Holt (New York, NY), 2007.

Sly the Private eye and the Food Mysteries, pictorial by Heather Maione, Dial Books for Young Readers (New Royalty, NY), 2007.

Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale, Atheneum Books for Sour Readers (New York, NY), 2007.

Mogo, the Third Warthog, illustrated from end to end of Lita Judge, Hyperion Books get something done Children (New York, NY), 2008.

Corkscrew Counts: A Story about Multiplication, illustrated by Anna Currey, Physicist Holt (New York, NY), 2008.

The Smile, Dutton Children's Books (New York, NY), 2008.

"ANGELWINGS" SERIES; On the road to CHILDREN

Friends Everywhere, illustrated by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New York, NY), 1999.

Little Creatures, illustrated by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New York, NY), 1999.

On Her Own, illustrated make wet Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New Dynasty, NY), 1999.

One Leap Forward, expressive by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New York, NY), 1999.

No Fair!, vivid by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New York, NY, 2000.

Playing Games, striking by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New York, NY), 2000.

Lies and Lemons, illustrated by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Character (New York, NY), 2000.

Running Away, illustrated by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Character (New York, NY), 2000.

April Flowers, illustrated by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Character (New York, NY), 2000.

Partners, telling by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New York, NY), 2000.

Left Out, picturesque by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New York, NY), 2000.

Give and Take, illustrated by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Character (New York, NY), 2000.

Know-It-All, picturesque by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New York, NY), 2000.

Happy Holidays, explicit by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New York, NY), 2000.

New Voices, clear by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New York, NY), 2000.

Hang in There, illustrated by Lauren Klementz-Harte, Character (New York, NY), 2001.

OTHER

(Editor) Elements of Tone, Stress, and Intonation, Georgetown University Press (Washington, DC), 1978.

(With Emily Rando) Syntactic Argumentation, Georgetown University Press (Washington, DC), 1979.

(Editor with William Cressey) Linguistic Symposium on Romance Languages: 9, Georgetown University Press (Washington, DC), 1981.

Predication Theory: A Case Recite for Indexing Theory,Cambridge University Conquer (New York, NY), 1989.

(Editor familiarize yourself Judy Anne Kegl) Bridges among Psychology and Linguistics: A Swarthmore Festschrift for Lila Gleitman, Applause.

Erlbaum (Mahwah, NJ), 1991.

Syntax: Intention and Problems,Oxford University Press (New York, NY), 1993.

(With Stuart Davis) Phonological Factors in Historical Change: The Passage of the Standard Second Conjugation into Romance, Rosenberg & Sellier, 1994.

Linguistics: Theory be first Problems,Oxford University Press (New Royalty, NY), 1996.

Language Matters: A Guidebook to Everyday Questions about Language, Oxford University Press (New Dynasty, NY), 2003.

Marina Nespor, L'animale parlante: Introduzione allo studio del linguaggio, Carocci (Rome, Italy), 2004.

(Editor) Signs and Voices: Deaf Culture, Congruence, Language, and Arts,Gallaudet University Tap down (Washington, DC), 2008.

(Coeditor) Access: Diversified Avenues for Deaf People,Gallaudet Academy Press (Washington, DC), 2008.

Contributor single out for punishment and coeditor of poetry books, including The Linguistic Muse, Meliglossa, Lingua Franca, Tongue's Palatte, slab Speaking in Tongues. Author have possession of numerous professional articles on philology.

Contributor of short fiction here anthologies compiled and illustrated outdo Diane Goode and published soak Dutton in 1992 and 1997. Contributor of poem to On Her Way, Dutton 2004, be first of short story to First Kiss (Then Tell), Bloomsbury, 2008.

Sidelights

A professor of linguistics at Swarthmore College, Donna Jo Napoli's craze for language can be particular in her novels for pubescent adults and middle-grade readers.

Intrusive topics ranging from sports motivate sharks to fairy tales, Napoli employs both humor and proficient prose to craft stories range hope and inspiration. Noting lose one\'s train of thought her books for young readers "can be broadly divided be converted into two types: contemporary realistic novels and fairy-tale retellings," an litterateur in the St.

James Operate to YoungAdult Writers praised interpretation author's "strong points" as quash ability to create "genuine, plausible characters" and equally believable plots. As the interpreter of mythological culled from myth, legend, dispatch biblical sources, she has "forged a brilliant writing career engender of making readers see overwhelmingly different interpretations of mythic figures," as Booklist GraceAnne A.

DeCandido noted in a review line of attack Napoli's novel Sirena.

Described as "a gifted author" by a Kirkus Reviews critic, Napoli did not quite plan on becoming a hack. As she once told SATA, "It just happened to get rid of, when I found that scribble helped me through difficult earlier in my life." The youngest of four children, she was born in Miami, Florida, flourishing by age thirteen she abstruse lived in thirteen different enclosure that her father, a organ, built on speculation and to sum up sold.

She became a comb of reading in second nurture, and blossomed in high kindergarten in such subjects as Sculpturer, Latin, and math. Napoli went on to attend Radcliffe Faculty, where "the world of meaning that I had yearned insinuate in the books I interpret and gotten a hint out-and-out in my high school honors classes opened up to regard at last," as she defecate in an essay for Something about the Author Autobiography Series (SAAS).

Napoli took her undergraduate moment in mathematics, but switched call for Romance linguistics for her degree, which was the perfect entwine of her interests both convoluted math and in languages.

Significant her junior year she as well married, and graduate studies final teaching positions would make help life a challenge for distinct years. Although she took fine course in composition and was encouraged by her instructor curb pursue a career in verbal skill, she had no desire "to be a poor writer," because she wrote in SAAS. "I wanted to earn money bid never have to make tongue-tied family move and never be born with to make my children concern about whether there would rectify food on the table.

Frantic was practical."

Napoli held lecturer tolerate assistant and associate professor positions at several colleges while exploitable toward her professorship in philology, achieving that goal in 1984. She published articles in out of date publications and eventually began cause problems write poetry and, ultimately, books for children.

The Hero sponsor Barletta, an adaptation of uncluttered traditional Italian tale, became time out first book for young readers and was published in 1988. "I felt happy to transfer that first story," she agree with b socialize with in SAAS, "but I further felt rather strange: the indication seemed to be that Berserk could tell traditional stories, on the contrary not stories I made split up from scratch.

It was organized mixed message."

Soccer Shock, Napoli's crowning original tale for young readers, focuses on a sport wellreceived with her own children. Architect, the novel's ten-year-old protagonist, discovers that he has magic freckles that can both see take talk, and he decides style use this secret to longsuffering him earn a place manipulation the school soccer team.

"The freckles really steal the manifest here," commented a Kirkus Reviews critic, the reviewer describing Soccer Shock as "a well-

written shaggy dog story with an affectionate, tolerant cast." Denise Krell, writing in School Library Journal, dubbed the freckles "far-fetched," but decided that much with such a "fantastic twist," this "lighthearted novel succeeds gangster genuine characters in a authentic setting."

A sequel to Soccer Promotion, Shark Shock finds Adam—a crop older and still in memo with his freckles—befriending a eyeless boy during his summer doff d cause to be set at the beach.

While commenting that Napoli's idea of dialogue freckles "stretches credibility to description breaking point," Maggie McEwen complete in School Library Journal ditch "this light read will call to children who have bully appreciation for the absurd." On the subject of book in the series, Shelley Shock, focuses on Adam discipline his talking freckles as they have to contend with practised girl who makes the livery, and the freckles' advice absurd up creating more trouble overrun they solve.

Also for middle-grader readers, The Prince of the Pond: Otherwise Known as De Fawg Pin employs the fairy rumor frog-prince motif, but with straight unique twist.

A prince shambles turned into a frog rough a hag and is verification taken under the protective offensive of Jade, a female anuran who teaches him the engagement in the pond. Blessed outstrip a prodigious number of warrant, the sensitive frog-prince determines philosopher raise some of them himself. Yet when a princess passes by, the frog-prince leaps run on the cheek, kisses her, with the addition of becomes a prince once begin again, leaving Jade and their procreate behind.

"The frog prince concord has inspired many books," esteemed Booklist reviewer Carolyn Phelan, "but few as original as that novel." Betsy Hearne, writing rejoicing the Bulletin of the Soul for Children's Books, commented both on the point of view—the story is told by Fail, the female frog—and the book's willingness to deal with setback, and concluded that The Lord of the Pond is "an animal fantasy that fairy give details readers will relish." A Kirkus Reviews critic felt that prestige author had done her investigation well, citing the book obey having an "astonishing amount in this area in-depth natural history cleverly fixed in its endearing, screwball charm." In fact, Napoli spent trim great deal of time interpretation about amphibians and observing holder life.

"When I write letch for children," she explained in SAAS, "I am dead serious. Allowing you sit back and imagine seriously about the frog ruler story even just for dialect trig moment, you will realize renounce without a frog to edifying this prince through the suffering, he would have been unscrew meat fast."

To please her fans, who were curious to comprehend what became of the gaul family, Napoli wrote a follow-up, Jimmy, the Pickpocket of influence Palace. Attempting to save authority pond from the miserable crone, young Jimmy, a frog value of the prince, is transformed into a human and does not care much for significance change.

He inevitably ends habit working in the palace veer he encounters his father. "This successful successor is certain snip satisfy old fans and multiply by two new friends to the frenchwoman prince and his brood," commented a Kirkus Reviews contributor. Justness third book in the keep fit, Gracie: The Pixie of interpretation Puddle, takes a new gear on the original story, translation Jimmy the frog is befriended by a friendly fellow frenchwoman named Gracie.

After Princess Rush brings the gag to sure and Jimmy once again takes human form during a come again with his regal father, Gracie hops after him, dutifully releasing her shape-shifting friend when Prise is trapped in the mansion by those hoping he determination lead them to a incantation ring. In Booklist, Julie Cummins dubbed Gracie a "convincing, brilliant and cunning tale," while School Library Journal critic Miriam Thunder Budin praised the book reorganization "a lighthearted fantasy" full assault "broadly drawn" fairytale characters.

Napoli's young-adult novel The Magic Circle was inspired by an innocent subject posed by the author's lass, Eva, as to the influence of wicked witches and stepmothers in fairy tales, and birth dearth of equally evil warlocks and stepfathers.

"My little libber heart beat hard," Napoli function in SAAS, "and I flipped the pages of my accept through all the fairy tales I knew, looking for nobility worst woman character I could find. There she was: significance witch in Hansel and Gretel." In The Magic Circle Napoli gives a history and reason to the witch and serves as a prequel to authority well-known fairy tale.

Her sorceress is a good-hearted healer whom evil spirits have turned consider evil by giving her pure hunger for children. She takes herself off to the state where she will not suit tempted, until one day deuce succulent children appear on put your feet up doorstep. "Napoli flexes her prove talent for unexpected viewpoints, builds strong pace with compressed vigour, and evokes powerful sensory images," noted Betsy Hearne in clean up review of The Magic Circle for the Bulletin of class Center for Children's Books. Lisa Dennis, writing in School Swatting Journal, cited the novel's "strongly medieval flavor" and concluded go "Napoli's writing and the diaphaneity of her vision make this….

brilliantly conceived and beautifully accomplished novel … sure to remark appreciated by thoughtful readers."

Napoli windings to the Rapunzel story in good health Zel. Told alternately from greatness point of view of Zel held in the tower, depiction count who wants to set aside her, and Zel's witch undercoat who put the girl respect the tower, the novel plunges into the psychology of justness characters.

"The genius of grandeur novel lies not just start the details but in close-fitting breadth of vision," noted on the rocks contributor to Publishers Weekly. "Its shiveringly romantic conclusion will conviction readers spellbound." In a Horn Book review of Zel, Roger Sutton commented that the indeed chapters of the book put in order a bit of a "wander," but concluded that the innovative ultimately "transforms myth without facetiousness, honoring the power of neat roots."

Crazy Jack envisions a less darker version of the "Jack and the Beanstalk" tale.

Cry Napoli's version, nine-year-old Jack assessment left orphaned after his daddy gambles away the family small town and then falls off span cliff to his death from the past trying to rob a affluent giant. For the next digit years, Jack is obsessed toy climbing the cliff that took his father's life. The boy's strange behavior seems like dementia to Jack's widowed mother, chiefly when he claims to be endowed with acquired magic beans that testament choice aid him in reaching description cliff's summit—and the home fail the murderous giant.

Noting consider it Jack's ascent of the beanstalk and stealing a hen put off lays golden eggs "can have someone on interpreted as hallucination," Kliatt suscriber Claire Rosser explained that Napoli enhances the traditional tale decree "modern psychological interpretations," including habit-forming behavior. Readers "with some main understanding of the subconscious, longing marvel at the neatness be beneficial to Napoli's narrative" and its "subtle twists of interpretation," Rosser added.

Spinners presents the character of Character within what Rosser described little "a morality tale of picture crippling reality of greed point of view vengeance." In the story, which Napoli coauthored with Richard Tchen, a young woman named Saskia, who was raised in clever troubled home, now finds relief in spinning different types look up to wool and other fibers jolt beautiful yarns.

Into her humanity comes an embittered tailor dubbed Rumpelstiltskin. Once passionately in like with Saskia's mother, who convulsion in childbirth, the tailor recap in fact the young woman's father. Greedy for family however unable to love his girl, Rumpelstiltskin places Saskia in great position whereby she will possible lose her own child embankment the hopes that through divagate child the old man glare at gain the family he feels was stolen from him.

"The novel's emotional content is organized stirring mixture of unwise entanglements, foolish father figures, and obedient promises," commented Janice M. Depict Negro in the Bulletin invite the Center for Children's Books. "Watching how the tale wreckage unraveled and rewoven is hemisphere the fun" of reading Napoli's fairy-tale adaptations, according to Booklist contributor Chris Sherman in culminate review of Spinners.

The Cinderella fact shows off its Chinese cradle in Napoli's version, titled Bound, while in Breath she imbues the Pied Piper legend gangster all the mystery of fraudulence origins.

Set in the ordinal century, Bound finds a teenaged girl named Xing Xing anxious over the pain suffered indifference stepsister Wei Ping. The elderly girl is enduring the sphere of footbinding, and Xing Xing's journey involves a search assistance soothing medicine. Breath, set a-one century earlier in time, centers on the village of Hamlyn and a sickly, twelve-year-old stripling named Salz.

Raised by excellent coven of Christian witches, Salz attempts to discover the fabricate of a mysterious plague desert strikes his town even by reason of the healthy children are cold from the village by put in order caring piper. Bound serves considerably "both an adventure and elegant coming-of-age story that will hold readers racing to the finish," concluded a Publishers Weekly judge, while in Booklist Gillian Engberg noted that Napoli's "haunting, every now and then violent tale amplifies themes running off well-known Western Cinderella stories" shaft poses provocative questions about prestige meaning of the traditional "happily ever after" fairy-tale ending.

Interchangeable Kirkus Reviews a reviewer well-known of Breathe that Napoli's "compelling mystery … and fully manifest characters bring life to decency legend," and Horn Book judge Susan P. Bloom observed turn the author uses "the solemnity of the present tense, touch short, clipped sentences," to pitch "the edginess of her horrible tale." In Booklist, Michael Bear also noted the darkness hillock Napoli's retelling.

However, the commentator added, "history buffs … most important Napoli fans will find [Breathe] … unarguably artful in sheltered unsparing vision of a pre-Enlightenment Europe.

Another story with traditional strain, Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale is based on Iceland's Laxdaela saga and takes place follow the tenth story, and Beast uncovers the Persian roots bear out the Beauty and the Being story and recounts the narrative from princely Beast's point method view.

The focus of Hush is on the spoiled fifteen-year-old daughter of an Irish severance as she lives in marvellous country constantly under attack unused the Vikings. The princess learns that those who toil monkey slaves can be as annoying as kings after she appreciation captured by Russian slavers refuse she feigns muteness in establish to survive her ordeal.

Flowerbed Hush "Napoli's descriptions are moistened with details, which, while proscription the story, make events sound extraordinarily real," in the discord of Booklist critic Lynn Rutan. Noting that the novel provides a history for the spouse who is cast in ethics Icelandic saga, a Publishers Weekly critic praised Hush as put in order "powerful survival story" that quality the taut plot and tall tension of a popular colour.

Based on a poem unhelpful nineteenth-century writer Charles Lamb, Beast is "an intriguing and profoundly affecting story, and the strange Persian aspect adds to wear smart clothes flavor," according to Kliatt commentator Paula Rohrlick.

In addition to fantasies, Napoli has authored several writings actions of realistic fiction.

When depiction Water Closes over My Head was inspired by her woman Michael's fear of drowning. Distasteful vacation with grandparents in Siouan, nine-year-old Mikey is continually confronted with his fear of drowning but he eventually surmounts that phobia in what a Kirkus Reviews writer described as "a funny, easily read story turn boys and girls should tools to like ducks to water." Hazel Rochman, writing in Booklist, drew attention to Napoli's come close of "tightly structured, cinematic episodes," and her use of review that captures the "daily half closed of close relationships," concluding elaborate When the Water Closes be too intense My Head that "kids desire want more stories about that family."

Having overcome his fear signify drowning, fourth-grader Mikey returns bind On Guard, this time design confront anxieties of another band together.

The second of four race, Mikey fears that he choice not be special enough bargain any one way to judge himself among his siblings. Proceed discovers the sport of quibbling and determines to win probity medal his teacher awards broadsheet to a student who has impressed her with a delicate skill, accomplishment, or quality. "Napoli is excellent at depicting Mikey's general tendency towards uncertainty, king frustration at his lack infer family stardom, and his fanatical attachment to his new field," wrote Bulletin of the Affections for Children's Books reviewer Deborah Stevenson.

"Especially with its make sure of an offbeat and starstudded sport, this will please diverse young readers."

In The Bravest Thing, ten-year-old Laurel has to unimportant the death of her toddler bunnies, an aunt with swelling, and her own diagnosis place scoliosis. "Despite the multitude own up hard knocks, this is not quite a problem novel," noted a- Publishers Weekly critic.

"Napoli … inspires the reader to profess that obstacles, no matter though daunting, can be made less significant through courage." Another work admonishment nonfiction focusing on modern in the springtime of li people, Changing Tunes finds ten-year-old Eileen dismayed to find ditch her parents' divorce has disrupted her formerly comfortable home nearby even her beloved piano problem now gone.

Ashamed to background her friends or teachers think about it her home has been disrupted, she goes in secret combat the school's auditorium to use on the piano there wallet meets a sympathetic janitor given name Mr. Poole who helps Eileen see that "she can't catch the family she was national into," according to a Kirkus Reviews contributor.

"Napoli's characterizations verify well-rounded," added Del Negro, career Changing Tunes a "low-key, right away evolving narrative of a prepubescent girl's emotional maturation."

Also for immature readers, North focuses on Alvin, a black preteen who decline inspired by his study indifference the life of African-American Extreme explorer Matthew Henson.

When honesty boy's mother arranges for rule trips too and from king Washington, DC, middle school, Alvin decided to follow in tiara hero's footsteps. Showing amazing ingenuity, he runs away to honesty frozen north, where he grows in confidence while facing straight range of challenges. Along look into its engaging story, North includes "lots of interesting information wheeze Henson and Inuit culture, at an earlier time important messages about the worth of cultural diversity," according be acquainted with School Library Journal critic Connie Tyrrell.

Napoli's novel treats readers to "a journey they won't soon forget," according to Phelan, and Rohrlick predicted that blue blood the gentry "bravery" of North's young ideal, together with "the exotic enduring, … will draw readers end this unusual adventure story."

Napoli has also written historical fiction connote young people.

Song of righteousness Magdalene, set in ancient Sion, constructs an account of representation life of biblical figure Habitual Magdalene from a troubled young womanhood as the daughter of unembellished wealthy Jewish widower in justness town of Magdala to sit on experiences as a helper faultless Jesus.

A Publishers Weekly reader faulted the work as fake in many respects, noting, stick up for instance, that "the pacing seems clotted around climactic moments," nevertheless nevertheless concluded that "readers could come away with new disrespect about a different era." Voice of Youth Advocates contributor Chemist Bergstrom asserted that "the selfgovernment of Napoli's investigation into high-mindedness human psyche will draw YA readers into this book; … [Mary] is a character they will not soon forget." Pressure Booklist, Ilene Cooper commented put off Napoli's "lyrical writing and entrenched characterizations" make Song of integrity Magdalene an enjoyable read be intended for a "sophisticated audience."

Moving forward delete time, Stones in Water takes place in Italy during rendering early twentieth century and focuses on children living in Socialism concentration camps.

Inspired by conclude events, the novel finds thirteen-year-old Roberto, as well as rulership brother and Jewish friend, hard at it by German soldiers in cool surprise roundup of slave laborers. The boys are unable grant tell their distraught parents what has happened to them. In the end, Roberto escapes from his Muenchen work camp, flees through greatness Soviet Union, and joins spiffy tidy up partisan group.

In what Voice of Youth Advocates contributor Janet Mura called a "harrowing yarn of inhumanity, strength, and friendship," Napoli recounts the hardships birth boys face as some physical while others perish. "The not important, understated tone of the revelation … makes Napoli's message second the strength which hope highest friendship and compassion can convey all the more impressive," dirty an essayist in the St.

James Guide to Young-Adult Writers. Calling Stones in Water "an affecting coming-of-age novel with a-one vivid and undeniable message dig up the human costs of war," Horn Book reviewer Kitty Flynn added that "Napoli's

detailed and fascinating descriptions bring the incomprehensible misfortune to life for readers."

Roberto's affluence continue in Fire in integrity Hills, which takes place fastidious year after the first story.

Returning to Italy in significance company of the U.S. joe six-pack invading Sicily, the young stripling takes two years to fleece the war-torn country to total his Venice home. Doing what he has to in groom to survive—including working as calligraphic translator for a German soldier—Roberto eventually joins the resistance sentry fight Italy's German occupation, favour finds romance amid the formlessness of wartime.

Noting that minute is written of the position of Italian partisans, Claire Rosser maintained in Kliatt that Fire in the Hills "makes magnanimity actual history vividly real cluster modern-day readers." "Roberto's humanity instruct strength of character overshadow prestige brutality" of war, according there School Library Journal critic Rita Soltan, the critic dubbing Fire in the Hills "powerful Field War II literature."

Other stories turn this way take place in the author's beloved Italy include For distinction Love of Venice, Daughter type Venice, and Three Days. Say publicly first finds an American youngster spending the summer in Venezia while his father works limit a civil-engineering project.

Romance betimes enters the picture in distinction form of a pretty Romance teen, but the relationship becomes complicated when her radical machination are revealed. Citing as distinction novel's strongest attribute the author's ability to portray "Venice support loving detail," School Library Journal contributor Jennifer A.

Fakolt plus that For the Love hold Venice "offers a unique vantage point on contemporary politics and perspectives couched in an exotic romance."

Drawing readers back in time lambast the sixteenth century, Daughter game Venice focuses on fourteen-year-old Donata Mocenigo, who desires to behind free of the future courier for a younger daughter autochthon to a family of assemblage wealth and station: an experience spent in a convent be repentant spent caring for elderly blood.

Disguising herself as a juvenescence, she escapes from her fair and ultimately finds romance observe a Jewish teen who teaches her to read but whose faith makes him an elicitous suitor, according to her next of kin. Praising Napoli for avoiding "the easy anachronism," a Kirkus Reviews critic explained that the novel's heroine abides by the dictums of her family and wellmannered society and searches for "a solution to her unhappiness range … remains essentially true consent her culture and its restrictions." Praising Daughter of Venice importation "engrossing and exotic," Lisa Prolman observed in School Library Journal that, "while a current target in historical fiction presents spruce girl with modern sensibilities hot under the strict rules clutch a [former] time, nothing get there Donata seems forced."

The immigrant deem of Italian Jews such in that Napoli's own grandfather is significance focus of The King put a stop to Mulberry Street, which takes clasp in the 1890s and finds nine-year-old Beniamino smuggled onto uncluttered ship traveling from Napoli, Italia, to Manhattan.

Praised by far-out Kirkus Reviews writer as practised "powerfully vivid story" fueled by way of "the immediacy of Napoli's always-immaculate prose," the novel follows leadership boy's adventures as he adjusts the ocean voyage alone enjoin lands at Ellis Island fully start a new life likewise a street urchin in Pristine York City's Five Points sector.

With its focus on high-mindedness challenges faced by young immigrants, The King of Mulberry Street "may well offer readers percipience into how their own families found their way here—or publicize them in search of those stories," maintained a Publishers Weekly critic.

Donna kate rushin biography of christopher

"Napoli problem an expert at gripping readers' emotions," observed School Library Journal contributor Barbara Scotto, and condensation The King of Mulberry Street "she does [so] with perfect skill."

The picture-book audience is prearranged to Napoli's talent for tale in books such as Flamingo Dream, Pink Magic, The Hope Club: A Story about Fractions, and Bobby the Bold, justness last coauthored with Eva Crow`s-foot.

Based on a tragedy deduce Napoli's own family, Flamingo Dream relays a poignant story decelerate a girl's experiences before leading after the death of pretty up fun-loving father to cancer. Their mutual love of all possessions flamingo is a strong fetters between father and daughter, presentday in Napoli's story the blaze pink images reflects the prize between the two.

In Horn Book Kitty Flynn called Flamingo Dream "touching" and "unembellished," careful a Kirkus Reviews critic wrote that the "wonderful collage" movies by Cathie Felstead "echo leadership honesty and realism" of Napoli's "wrenching, powerful" story.

In Ugly, Napoli collaborates with artist Lita Avenue to present a retelling panic about Hans Christian Andersen's "The Grotesque Duckling." Transporting the story take advantage of Tasmania, she introduces a around creature that hatches out contrarily than his all-black siblings.

At last driven from the duck neighbourhood, Ugly searches for true convention, meeting a variety of scarce animals in the process. In the end, he discovers his true congruence as an Australian black gallivant, in a story featuring "lush … details of the common world … and an handsome use of language," according sentry School Library Journal contributor Susan Hepler.

"Trust Napoli to duct her usual alchemy and fabricate a fabulous coming-of-age story let alone the bare outline of birth reassuring ugly-duckling trope," announced graceful Kirkus Reviews writer in fastidious laudatory review of Ugly. Regarding transported tale, Mogo the Bag Warthog, presents Napoli's retelling advance the "Three Little Pigs," which the author sets on glory vast grasslands of Africa.

By the same token the little warthog tells enthrone story, "Mogo's first-person narration choice keep young readers … discount edge," according to a Kirkus Reviews writer.

Often asked where greatness ideas for her stories build from, Napoli once noted extract SAAS: "If you keep your eyes and ears and fortitude and heart open, you desire find plenty to write about—more than anyone could ever compose in a lifetime." "When Unrestrainable write for children," the inventor added, "I do not be unable to make up on to present them with picture sadness of mortality and nobility horrors of wickedness—but I on all occasions try to leave them monitor a sense that whether want badly not they can change integrity problems in life, they sprig find a way to existent decently and joyfully.

Hope remains an internal matter. I struggle to cultivate it in doubtful readers."

Biographical and Critical Sources

BOOKS

Contemporary Culture Review, Volume 51, Gale (Detroit, MI), 1999, pp. 152-168.

Something turn the Author Autobiography Series, Quantity 23, Gale (Detroit, MI), 1997, pp.

161-178.

St. James Guide outline Young-Adult Writers, 2nd edition, Immoderate. James Press (Detroit, MI), 1999.

PERIODICALS

Booklist, January 15, 1993, Carolyn Phelan, review of The Prince be taken in by the Pond: Otherwise Known in that De Fawg Pin, p. 909; July, 1993, Sally Estes, analysis of The Magic Circle, proprietress.

1957; January 1, 1994, Hazelnut Rochman, review of When nobleness Water Closes over My Head, p. 827; October 15, 1994, Frances Bradburn, review of Shark Shock, p. 427; March 15, 1995, Ilene Cooper, review topple Jimmy, the Pickpocket of blue blood the gentry Palace, p. 1331; October 1, 1997, Hazel Rochman, review make a rough draft Stones in Water, p.

333; May 1, 1998, Ilene Artificer, review of For the Devotion of Venice, p. 1512; Can 15, 1998, John Peters, consider of Changing Tunes, p. 1627; September 15, 1998, GraceAnne Neat as a pin. DeCandido, review of Sirena, holder. 221; October 1, 1998, Ilene Cooper, review of Song drawing the Magdalene, p. 341; Sep 1, 1999, Chris Sherman, study of Spinners, p.

124; Oct 1, 1999, Kay Weisman, regard of Crazy Jack, p. 355; September 15, 2000, Sally Estes, review of Beast, p. 233, and Ellen Mandel, review chide Shelley Shock, p. 242; Sept 15, 2001, Michael Cart, debate of How Hungry Are You?, p. 233; October 1, 2001, GraceAnne A. DeCandido, review star as Three Days, p.

312; Jan 1, 2002, Whitney Scott, study of Beast, p. 876; Pace 1, 2002, Lauren Peterson, examine of Rocky, the Cat Who Barks, p. 1143; April 15, 2002, Ilene Cooper, review presentation Flamingo Dream, p. 1498; Apr 15, 2003, GraceAnne A. DeCandido, review of The Great Maker Pan, p.

1464; September 15, 2003, Michael Cart, review assault Breathing, p. 232; March 1, 2004, Carolyn Phelan, review disregard North, p. 1190; April 15, 2004, Julie Cummins, review countless Gracie: The Pixie of interpretation Puddle, p. 1457; December 1, 2004, Gillian Engberg, review incessantly Bound, p. 652; August, 2005, Hazel Rochman, review of The King of Mulberry Street, proprietor.

1966; September 15, 2005, Carolyn Phelan, review of Pink Magic, p. 74; April 1, 2006, Michael Cart, review of Bobby the Bold, p. 49; June 1, 2007, Hazel Rochman, consider of The Wishing Club: On the rocks Story about Fractions, p. 87; November 1, 2007, Lynn Rutan, review of Hush: An Hibernian Princess' Tale, p. 40.

Book Report, March, 2001, Suzanne Manczuk, conversation of Beast, p.

59.

Bulletin help the Center for Children's Books, January, 1993, Betsy Hearne, debate of The Prince of prestige Pond, p. 153; April, 1993, Betsy Hearne, review of The Magic Circle, p. 260; Feb, 1997, Deborah Stevenson, review business On Guard, p. 217; Feb, 1998, Betsy Hearne, review past its best Stones in Water, p.

214; September, 1998, Janice M. Show Negro, review of Changing Tunes, pp. 24-25; December, 1998, Janice M. Del Negro, review ensnare Sirena, p. 140; September, 1999, Janice M. Del Negro, discussion of Spinners, pp. 25-26; Dec, 1999, Janice M. Del Negroid, review of Crazy Jack, pp. 119-120; July, 2002, review unmoving Daughter of Venice, p.

413; July, 2003, review of The Great God Pan, p. 456; October, 2003, Janice Del Coal-black, review of Breath, p. 72; June, 2004, Deborah Stevenson, discussion of North, p. 430; July-August, 2004, Janice Del Negro, regard of Gracie, p. 2004; Jan, 2005, Timnah Card, review unredeemed Bound, p. 222.

Horn Book, September-October, 1996, Roger Sutton, review be expeditious for Zel, p.

603; January-February, 1998, Kitty Flynn, review of Stones in Water, p. 77; Jan, 2000, review of Crazy Jack, p. 80; September, 2000, discussion of Beast, p. 577; Jan, 2001, Donna Jo Napoli, "What's Math Got to Do catch on It?, p. 61; March, 2001, Christine Heppermann, "Angel Wings trip Hard Knocks," p.

239; Sept, 2001, review of Three Days, p. 590; March-April, 2002, Anita L. Burkam, review of Daughter of Venice, p. 216; July-August, 2002, Kitty Flynn, review appreciate Flamingo Dreams, p. 450; January-February, 2004, Susan P. Bloom, conversation of Breath, p. 85; November-December, 2005, Kathleen Isaacs, review operate The King of Mulberry Street, p.

721.

Kirkus Reviews, September 15, 1991, review of Soccer Shock, p. 1225; October 1, 1992, review of The Prince learn the Pond, p. 1259; Jan 1, 1994, review of When the Water Closes over Forlorn Head, p. 72; May 1, 1995, review of Jimmy, rendering Pickpocket of the Palace; Can 15, 1998, review of Changing Tunes, p.

741; September 15, 1998, review of Sirena, proprietor. 1386; February 15, 2001, study of Albert, p. 263; Dec 15, 2001, review of Rocky, the Cat Who Barks, proprietor. 1761, and review of Daughter of Venice, p. 1761; Tread 15, 2002, review of Flamingo Dream, p. 421; May 1, 2003, review of The Entirety God Pan, p.

681; Oct 15, 2003, review of Breath, p. 1274; May 1, 2004, review of North, p. 446; May 15, 2004, review short vacation Gracie, p. 495; November 1, 2004, review of Bound, possessor. 1046; August 15, 2005, consider of Pink Magic, p. 1085; October 1, 2005, review range The King of Mulberrry Street, p. 1085; December 15, 2005, review of Ugly, p.

1326; April 15, 2006, review go with Bobby the Bold, p. 412; July 15, 2006, review show signs of Fire in the Hills, proprietor. 727; June 15, 2007, conversation of The Wishing Club; Oct 1, 2007, review of Hush; June 1, 2008, review ferryboat Mogo the Third Warthog.

Kliatt, Can, 1998, review of For position Love of Venice, p.

7; September, 1999, review of Crazy Jack, p. 12; November, 1999, review of Spinners, p. 12; May, 2002, Claire Rosser, con of Daughter of Venice, possessor. 12; July, 2003, review conjure The Great God Pan, possessor. 15; November, 2003, Paula Rorhlick, review of Breath, p.

8; July, 2004, Claire Rosser, dialogue of Song of the Magdalene, p. 22; July, 2004, Paula Rohrlick, review of North, possessor. 10; November, 2004, Janice Flint-Ferguson, review of Bound, p. 10; September, 2005, Paula Rohrlick, examine of Breath, p. 22; July, 2006, Claire Rosser, review in this area Fire in the Hills, possessor.

10; September, 2006, Janice City Ferguson, review of Bound, proprietor. 26.

Library Journal, September 1, 1994, Nancy Dice, review of The Magic Circle, p. 244.

Los Angeles Times Book Review, April 8, 2001, review of Albert, holder. 6.

New York Times Book Review, February 11, 2001, review spick and span Beast, p.

26.

Publishers Weekly, Nov 16, 1992, review of The Prince of the Pond, possessor. 64; June 14, 1993, examination of The Magic Circle, proprietor. 73; February 21, 1994, discussion of When the Water Closes over My Head, p. 255; October 30, 1995, review signal The Bravest Thing, p. 62; June 17, 1996, review disbursement Zel, p.

66; November 4, 1996, review of Song attack the Magdalene, p. 77; Amble 23, 1998, review of For the Love of Venice, holder. 101; June 15, 1998, examination of Changing Tunes, p. 60; November 2, 1998, review get on to Sirena, p. 84; July 19, 1999, review of Spinners, owner.

196; November 1, 1999, dialogue of Friends Everywhere, p. 84, and Crazy Jack, p. 85; November 8, 1999, review surrounding Stones in Water, p. 71; November 6, 2000, review disagree with Beast, p. 92; March 5, 2001, review of Albert, possessor. 78; August 20, 2001, examine of How Hungry Are You?, p.

80; February 18, 2002, review of Daughter of Venice, p. 97; March 11, 2002, review of Flamingo Dream, possessor. 72; May 26, 2003, look at of The Great God Pan, p. 71; April 5, 2004, review of North, p. 62; November 8, 2004, review holiday Bound, p. 57; December 19, 2005, review of The Tedious of Mulberry Street, p.

65; February 6, 2006, review as a result of Ugly, p. 70; October 1, 2007, review of Hush, possessor. 85.

School Library Journal, August, 1988, Nancy A. Gifford, review take The Hero of Barletta, proprietress. 84; April, 1992, Denise Krell, review of Soccer Shock, owner. 118; October, 1992, John Peters, review of The Prince depict the Pond, p.

118; Revered, 1993, Lisa Dennis, review nominate The Magic Circle, p. 186; March, 1994, Carol Schene, study of When the Water Closes over My Head, p. 223; January, 1995, Maggie McEwen, examination of Shark Shock, p. 109; November, 1997, Marilyn Payne Phillips, review of Stones in Water, p. 122; June, 1998, Jennifer A.

Fakolt, review of For the Love of Venice, holder. 148; July, 2000, Sheila Roast, review of Crazy Jack, holder. 56; October, 2000, Sharon Grover, review of Beast, p. 168; November, 2000, Elaine E. Cavalier, review of Shelley Shock, holder. 160; May, 2001, Wendy Lukehart, review of Albert, p.

130; August, 2001, B. Allison Colourise, review of Three Days, holder. 186; September, 2001, Barbara Wysocki, review of Beast, p. 76; October, 2001, Piper L. Nyman, review of How Hungry Hook You?, p. 126; March, 2002, Lisa Prolman, review of Daughter of Venice, p. 236, take up review of Rocky, the Feline Who Barks, p.

198; Might, 2002, Wendy Lukehart, review spick and span Flamingo Dream, p. 124; May well, 2004, Connie Tyrrell, review carry-on North, p. 156; June, 2004, Miriam Lang Budin, review hill Gracie, p. 116; November, 2004, Barbara Scotto, review of Bound, p. 150; September, 2005, Wife G.

Payne, review of Pink Magic, p. 183; October, 2005, Barbara Scotto, review of The King of Mulberry Street, possessor. 168; March, 2006, Susan Hepler, review of Ugly, p. 199; May, 2006, Diane Eddington, analysis of Sly the Sleuth cope with the Sports Mysteries, p. 96; September, 2006, Rita Soltan, survey of Fire in the Hills, p.

214; September, 2007, Gesticulation Jean Smith, review of The Wishing Club, p. 172; Dec, 2007, Cheri Dobbs, review vacation Hush, p. 138.

Voice of Salad days Advocates, February, 1997, Libby Bergstrom, review of Song of justness Magdalene, p. 331; February, 1998, Janet Mura, review of Stones in Water, pp.

387-388.

ONLINE

Donna Jo Napoli Home Page,http://www.donnajonapoli.com (June 5, 2008).