Writers

 

On June 8, 2020, 6-year-old Alyssa McClelland’s first book was published. My Big Curly Fro helped her express her emotions and educates others about cultural and personal identification, low self-esteem, how to overcome insecurities, and how to create strong and meaningful friendships.

Alyssa is one of a long list of child authors, including Amanda Gorman (America’s first National Youth Poet Laureate), Ally Sheedy (She Was Nice to Mice), and Christopher Paolini (Eragon). But the list goes beyond famous or best-selling writers. Schools have many examples of books produced by students or classes, such as Where the Mountains Meet the Plains: The Cimarron Country Past and Present, written by the 4th grade class at the Cimarron Elementary School in New Mexico.

Click on the images below to find out more about child authors. Better yet, checkout our catalog to see what we’ve acquired. Many of the books below are now a part of The Children’s Collection!

Clayton Marshall Adams was 16 when he wrote "The Mask". It was published posthumously by his father in 2021. Kirkus Reviews describes the story as a fairy tale where "a boy ridiculed for his deformities may find the price of beauty is too high in thi

Clayton Marshall Adams was 16 when he wrote "The Mask". It was published posthumously by his father in 2021. Kirkus Reviews describes the story as a fairy tale where "a boy ridiculed for his deformities may find the price of beauty is too high in this posthumous graphic novel." The review goes on to say Adams has "A young, laudable voice [which] tells an indelible story of acceptance and prejudice."

Kirkus reviews described Emma Catherine Hoff as "A young poet [who] displays evidence of impending mastery." Her book of poetry was published by the Children's Art Foundation - Stone Soup Inc. in 2023, when Emma was around 9 years old. Her poems have

Kirkus reviews described Emma Catherine Hoff as "A young poet [who] displays evidence of impending mastery." Her book of poetry was published by the Children's Art Foundation - Stone Soup Inc. in 2023, when Emma was around 9 years old. Her poems have appeared in several literary journals, and she produces a podcast, Poetry Soup, book reviews, and essays.

From Wikipedia: "Le Bateau ivre (The Drunken Boat) is a 100-line verse-poem written in 1871 by Arthur Rimbaud [when he was 16]. The poem describes the drifting and sinking of a boat lost at sea in a fragmented first-person narrative saturated with vi

From Wikipedia: "Le Bateau ivre (The Drunken Boat) is a 100-line verse-poem written in 1871 by Arthur Rimbaud [when he was 16]. The poem describes the drifting and sinking of a boat lost at sea in a fragmented first-person narrative saturated with vivid imagery and symbolism. It is considered a masterpiece of French Symbolism."

Marisol Paramo became the youngest winner in the history of the New Mexico – Arizona Book Awards in the winter of 2017. The New Mexico – Arizona Book Awards are the biggest award presenters in the Southwest outside of California! Marisol, who was 7 a

Marisol Paramo became the youngest winner in the history of the New Mexico – Arizona Book Awards in the winter of 2017. The New Mexico – Arizona Book Awards are the biggest award presenters in the Southwest outside of California! Marisol, who was 7 at the time, beat out over 1200 submissions from publishing houses of all sizes from all over the U.S.

Fear This, by Kohan Candelaris, is a series of mini horror stories that follow the adventures and trials of children around the Southwest. Kohan, from Albuquerque, NM, self-published this book and is working on a second.

Fear This, by Kohan Candelaris, is a series of mini horror stories that follow the adventures and trials of children around the Southwest. Kohan, from Albuquerque, NM, self-published this book and is working on a second.

At 16 years old, Jenk became a social entrepreneur, public speaker, social change activist, DJ, and presenter. Jenk is also the Founder & CMO of Thred Media, a social enterprise focused on Publishing, Consulting and Production aimed at Generation Z.

At 16 years old, Jenk became a social entrepreneur, public speaker, social change activist, DJ, and presenter. Jenk is also the Founder & CMO of Thred Media, a social enterprise focused on Publishing, Consulting and Production aimed at Generation Z.

Marc Tyler Nobleman is the author of numerous nonfiction and fiction books for young readers, a cartoonist, and worldwide speaker and TED presenter. His very first work was published when he was nine: a Mother’s Day poem published in the Cheshire He

Marc Tyler Nobleman is the author of numerous nonfiction and fiction books for young readers, a cartoonist, and worldwide speaker and TED presenter. His very first work was published when he was nine: a Mother’s Day poem published in the Cheshire Herald, his local newspaper.

14-year-old Salha Hamadin won the Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tale Bay competition in 2012. She was inspired by her harsh reality in a Palestinian Bedouin community near Jerusalem, and by Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.

14-year-old Salha Hamadin won the Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tale Bay competition in 2012. She was inspired by her harsh reality in a Palestinian Bedouin community near Jerusalem, and by Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.

Alejandra Stack - Founder, Chief Reporter, and Creative Director of the magazine KidNewsMaker, came up with the idea for when she was 11-years-old. Her mother, Arthia Nixon – Managing Editor and COO, is a seven-time Georgia Press Association award-wi

Alejandra Stack - Founder, Chief Reporter, and Creative Director of the magazine KidNewsMaker, came up with the idea for when she was 11-years-old. Her mother, Arthia Nixon – Managing Editor and COO, is a seven-time Georgia Press Association award-winning journalist who began her career as a staff reporter at a national newspaper in The Bahamas when she was sixteen-years-old.

Xion Flint started his own newspaper, "The Weekly Case," in late 2020 when he was ten years old. During its one-year run, Xion got sponsors, subscribers and about a hundred people reading each issue in person and online. Click the image for a news st

Xion Flint started his own newspaper, "The Weekly Case," in late 2020 when he was ten years old. During its one-year run, Xion got sponsors, subscribers and about a hundred people reading each issue in person and online. Click the image for a news story from KOB in Albuquerque, NM.

Bo Burnham was fifteen when he released the first videos of his own material on YouTube. His work quickly became popular and by the age of 17 he became the youngest person to record a performance for Comedy Central's "The World Stands Up".

Bo Burnham was fifteen when he released the first videos of his own material on YouTube. His work quickly became popular and by the age of 17 he became the youngest person to record a performance for Comedy Central's "The World Stands Up".

Christopher Paolini was 15 when he started his work on what would become the novel Eragon, the first of a four-book series set in the mythical land of Alagaësia.

Christopher Paolini was 15 when he started his work on what would become the novel Eragon, the first of a four-book series set in the mythical land of Alagaësia.

Hilda Conkling composed most of her poetry between the ages of four and ten years old. She never wrote them down herself; instead, they came out in conversation with her mother.

Hilda Conkling composed most of her poetry between the ages of four and ten years old. She never wrote them down herself; instead, they came out in conversation with her mother.

This New York Times bestseller was written by Alec Greven when he was nine years old. Since then he's written three more: How to Talk to Moms, How to Talk to Dads, and How to Talk to Santa.

This New York Times bestseller was written by Alec Greven when he was nine years old. Since then he's written three more: How to Talk to Moms, How to Talk to Dads, and How to Talk to Santa.

Alexandra Adornetto was 13 years old and on school holidays when she decided to become a recluse and to start writing her first book for young adults, entitled The Shadow Thief.[

Alexandra Adornetto was 13 years old and on school holidays when she decided to become a recluse and to start writing her first book for young adults, entitled The Shadow Thief.[

JJ Halo is a series of four children's literature spy fiction chapter books written by Australian child author, Juliette Davies. The first book in the series was written when Davies was 8 years old.

JJ Halo is a series of four children's literature spy fiction chapter books written by Australian child author, Juliette Davies. The first book in the series was written when Davies was 8 years old.

Shelley wrote Zastrozzi at the age of seventeen while attending his last year at Eton College. Prior to enrolling for university, Shelley completed Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire (with his sister Elizabeth), the verse melodrama The Wandering Je

Shelley wrote Zastrozzi at the age of seventeen while attending his last year at Eton College. Prior to enrolling for university, Shelley completed Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire (with his sister Elizabeth), the verse melodrama The Wandering Jew, and the gothic novel St. Irvine; or, The Rosicrucian: A Romance.

When he was 9 , David Klein wrote "Irwin the Sock” for a school assignment. The story of Irwin and Irina, matching argyle socks, was submitted to the Raintree Publish - a - Book Contest and won. It was published in 1988 .

When he was 9 , David Klein wrote "Irwin the Sock” for a school assignment. The story of Irwin and Irina, matching argyle socks, was submitted to the Raintree Publish - a - Book Contest and won. It was published in 1988 .

Alyssa McClelland published her first book on Juneteenth in 2020, when she was just six years old. It was inspired by her experiences at school, and a coloring book based on the story was published the same year.

Alyssa McClelland published her first book on Juneteenth in 2020, when she was just six years old. It was inspired by her experiences at school, and a coloring book based on the story was published the same year.

Written in 2003 by the 4th grade class of Cimarron Elementary School in New Mexico.

Written in 2003 by the 4th grade class of Cimarron Elementary School in New Mexico.

Amanda S. C. Gorman, born in 1998, was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. She published the poetry book The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough in 2015. In 2021, she delivered her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration of U.

Amanda S. C. Gorman, born in 1998, was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. She published the poetry book The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough in 2015. In 2021, she delivered her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek was an American poet (or, as he wanted to be remembered, "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played") who published seven best-selling books of poetry and peace essays before his death at the age of 13.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek was an American poet (or, as he wanted to be remembered, "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played") who published seven best-selling books of poetry and peace essays before his death at the age of 13.

Published in 1975 when Ally Sheedy was 12 years old, and illustrated by 13-year-0ld Jessica Ann Levy.

Published in 1975 when Ally Sheedy was 12 years old, and illustrated by 13-year-0ld Jessica Ann Levy.