About the Author

"I grew up with three brothers and three sisters and many, many pets and I often draw on childhood adventures (and misadventures) in creating stories and poems. My current everyday life also provides lots of inspiration for my writing. For example, my first book, Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns blossomed (pun intended!) from my small plot in a city community garden where, like Jackson, the main character, I seem to grow more weeds than flowers.


"The hamster in Jazz, Pizzazz, and the Silver Threads is based on several real-life, mischievous hamsters. The ideas for Jenny's magic `mess-ups' in Jazz, Pizzazz and its forthcoming sequel, The Magic Squad and the Dog of Great Potential, come from my husband's experiences as a kid magician. And the poems for A Year on My Street are all based on the people and happenings in my neighborhood, from feeding pigeons to listening to the sax man.


"Before becoming a freelance writer, I worked as a research writer/editor for Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. These days, in addition to writing children's books, I direct Arts Project Renaissance, a creative writing program for older adults, and teach creative writing workshops to folks of all ages at local schools, libraries, and Georgetown University's continuing education division."


Mary Quattlebaum's first book, Jackson Jones and the Puddle of Thorns, is the winner of the first annual Marguerite de Angeli Prize for middle-grade fiction. She has also written Jazz, Pizzazz, and the Silver Threads; its companion, The Magic Squad and the Dog of Great Potential, to be published in March 1997; and A Year on My Street, a First Choice Chapter Book for younger readers. She received a B.A. from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. from Georgetown University. Recipient of the Novel in Progress/Judy Blume Grant from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, she has been published in Children's Digest and Ladybug, as well as several literary magazines. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband.

Reviews

“Quattlebaum has created a winning cast of characters—both children and adults—and a savvy young hero who readers will like—and respect.”—School Library Journal, Starred

“Smart, snappy dialogue and characters both funny and admirable.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Quattlebaum’s first person narrative hooks readers at the start with his humorous street-smart style.”—Publishers Weekly

“A promising first novel, this is fresh, sweet, and vigorous—a real daisy.”—The Bulletin

A Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book

A Parenting Best Children’s Book

"Quattlebaum has created a winning cast of characters-both children and adults-and a savvy young hero who readers will like-and respect."-School Library Journal, Starred

"Smart, snappy dialogue and characters both funny and admirable."-Kirkus Reviews

"Quattlebaum's first person narrative hooks readers at the start with his humorous street-smart style."-Publishers Weekly

"A promising first novel, this is fresh, sweet, and vigorous-a real daisy."-The Bulletin

A Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book

A Parenting Best Children's Book

Gr 3-6-Jackson Jones, an upbeat, urban African-American boy, is certain that his mother will give him a new basketball for his 10th birthday. Therefore, he is shocked-and terrified about what it will do to his reputation-when she gives him a plot in the community garden and 10 dollars to spend on seeds and tools. Not one to sulk, though, Jackson comes up with the idea of planting roses and zinnias in time for his mother to enjoy them on her birthday, and then selling them to earn money for the coveted basketball. Setbacks in his budding business; a falling out with his best friend; being teased by a bully; and dealing with a conniving, prickly six-year-old neighbor add the necessary tension and humor and move the plot along at a swift pace, until the final, satisfying conclusion. By the end, this young entreprenuer has learned a lot about friendship and human nature. Quattlebaum has created a winning cast of characters-both children and adults- and a savvy young hero who readers will like-and respect. A terrific read-aloud or read-alone, with easy-to-read sentences, large type, and great dialogue.-Trev Jones, School Library Journal