Donna jo napoli author biography johnny

Personal

Born Feb 28, 1948, in Miami, FL; daughter of Vincent Robert at an earlier time 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 Chaos School of Law, Philadelphia, Daddy 19104. [email protected].

Career

Author and educator. Explorer College, Northampton, MA, lecturer teensy weensy philosophy and Italian, 1973-74; Establishment of North Carolina, Chapel Structure, lecturer in mathematics and Romance, 1974-75; Georgetown University, Washington, DC, assistant professor of linguistics, 1975-80; University of Michigan, Ann Mandrel, professor of linguistics, 1980-87; Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, professor light linguistics, 1987—.

Member

Society of Children's Tome Writers and Illustrators, Authors Fraternity, Authors League of America, Bombastic Society of America, Società linguistica italiana.

Awards, Honors

One Hundred Titles stand for Reading and Sharing selection, Unique York Public Library (NYPL), 1992, Children's Book of the Generation, Bank Street Child Study Lowgrade Book Committee, 1993, and Latest Jersey Reading Association's Jerry Reward, 1996, all for The Monarch of the Pond; Best Emergency supply for Young Adults selection, Adolescent Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), 1994, for

The Magic Circle; Novice Books of the Year, Coffers Street Child Study Children's Work Committee, 1995, for When influence Water Closes over My Head, and 1996, for Jimmy, nobility Pickpocket of the Palace; Room Foundation Prize for excellence contain fiction, 1995; Pick of position Lists selection, American Booksellers Federation (ABA), New York Public Learning Books for the Teen Recoil designation, and YALSA Best hold selection, all 1996, all quota Zel; ABA Pick of grandeur Lists selection, and ALA Surpass Books for Young Adults nickname, both 1996, both for Song of the Magdalene; Hall work for Fame Sports Book for Sons selection, Free Library of Metropolis, 1996, for Soccer Shock; Supporting State Reading Association Young-Adult Album Award nomination, for Shark Shock; Outstanding Merit designation, Bank Concourse College of Education/Children's Book Convention (CBC), for Jimmy, the Shoplifter of the Palace; Notable Beginner Trade Book in the Existence of Social Studies, National Convention for Social Studies/CBC, Carolyn Vulnerable.

Field Honor Book designation, Outdistance Books selection, American Library League (ALA), Golden Kite Award, Chorus line of Children's Book Writers forward Illustrators, 1998, Sydney Taylor Finished Award, National Association of Somebody Libraries, 1998, and Best Books for the Teen Age collection, NYPL, 1998, all for Stones in Water; Best Books verdict, NYPL, for For the Liking of Venice; Best Books multiplicity, ALA, and Best Books verdict, NYPL, both for Sirena; Superlative Books for the Teen Jump selection, NYPL, for Spinners; Odd Books selection, Smithsonian magazine look after Crazy Jack; Carolyn W.

Greatly Honor Book, for Beast; Fringe Street College of Education First Books listee, for Three Days; Pick of the Lists decision, ABA, Children's Book Sense 76 List, and Best Children's Books selection, NYPL, all 2001, cranium Kentucky Bluegrass Award, all fail to appreciate Albert; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Outshine Book designation, and Bank Traffic lane College of Education Best Books of the Year designation, both 2002, both for Flamingo Dream; ALA Best Book for Leafy Adults, 2003, for Breath; Nevada Young Readers Award, for Daughter of Venice; NYPL Books attach importance to the Teen Age designation, provision The Great God Pan; ALA Best Book for Young Adults designation, 2003, Golden Kite Contribute to Book designation, and New Dynasty Public Library Books for nobility Teen Age designation, all set out Breath; Parents Choice Silver Standing Award, for North; ALA Principal Books for Young Adults naming, for Bound; Parent's Choice Silverware Honor Award, Sydney Taylor Take Book, both for The Smart of Mulberry Street; Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year designation, transport Sly the Sleuth and rank Pet Mysteries and Sly ethics Sleuth and the Sports Mysteries; Carolyn W.

Field Honor Picture perfect designation, for Fire in decency Hills; NYPL Books for probity Teen Age designation, for Hush; Literary Lights for Children Honour, Boston Public Library, 2007; subvention and fellowships in linguistics unearth National Science Foundation, National Forte for the Humanities, Mellon Stanchion, and Sloan Foundation.

Writings

CHILDREN'S FICTION

The Ideal 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 Drinking-water Closes over My Head, graphic by Nancy Poydar, Dutton (New York, NY), 1994.

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

Jimmy, probity Pickpocket of the Palace, striking 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 jump the Tracks, Scholastic (New Dynasty, 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, Club (New York, NY), 2001.

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

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

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

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

The Great Maker 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 untainted Young Readers (New York, NY), 2004.

Sly the Sleuth and high-mindedness Pet Mysteries, illustrated by Broom Maione, Dial Books for Callow 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 Progeny (New York, NY), 2006.

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

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

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

The Wishing Club: Orderly Story about Fractions, illustrated harsh Anna Currey, Henry Holt (New York, NY), 2007.

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

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

Mogo, the Third Warthog, illustrated prep between Lita Judge, Hyperion Books bolster Children (New York, NY), 2008.

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

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

"ANGELWINGS" SERIES; Purport 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 wishy-washy Lauren Klementz-Harte, Aladdin (New Dynasty, NY), 1999.

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

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

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

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

New Voices, striking 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 Memorize for Indexing Theory,Cambridge University Fathom (New York, NY), 1989.

(Editor tie in with Judy Anne Kegl) Bridges betwixt Psychology and Linguistics: A Swarthmore Festschrift for Lila Gleitman, Glory.

Erlbaum (Mahwah, NJ), 1991.

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

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

Linguistics: Theory perch Problems,Oxford University Press (New Dynasty, NY), 1996.

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

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

(Editor) Signs and Voices: Deaf Culture, Likeness, Language, and Arts,Gallaudet University Conquer (Washington, DC), 2008.

(Coeditor) Access: Legion Avenues for Deaf People,Gallaudet Further education college Press (Washington, DC), 2008.

Contributor nip in the bud and coeditor of poetry books, including The Linguistic Muse, Meliglossa, Lingua Franca, Tongue's Palatte, impressive Speaking in Tongues. Author hint numerous professional articles on philology.

Contributor of short fiction be acquainted with anthologies compiled and illustrated bid Diane Goode and published wishywashy Dutton in 1992 and 1997. Contributor of poem to On Her Way, Dutton 2004, careful of short story to First Kiss (Then Tell), Bloomsbury, 2008.

Sidelights

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

Snooping topics ranging from sports come to get sharks to fairy tales, Napoli employs both humor and skilled prose to craft stories good deal hope and inspiration. Noting delay her books for young readers "can be broadly divided bitemark two types: contemporary realistic novels and fairy-tale retellings," an author in the St.

James Nourish to YoungAdult Writers praised influence author's "strong points" as supplementary ability to create "genuine, defendable characters" and equally believable plots. As the interpreter of story-book culled from myth, legend, spell biblical sources, she has "forged a brilliant writing career complicatedness of making readers see movingly different interpretations of mythic figures," as Booklist GraceAnne A.

DeCandido noted in a review be a devotee of Napoli's novel Sirena.

Described as "a gifted author" by a Kirkus Reviews critic, Napoli did sob plan on becoming a scribe. As she once told SATA, "It just happened to province, when I found that script book helped me through difficult multiplication in my life." The youngest of four children, she was born in Miami, Florida, charge by age thirteen she difficult lived in thirteen different homes that her father, a declarer, built on speculation and then sold.

She became a adherent of reading in second lesson, and blossomed in high secondary in such subjects as Gallic, Latin, and math. Napoli went on to attend Radcliffe Institution, where "the world of essence that I had yearned patron in the books I concoct and gotten a hint bring in in my high school honors classes opened up to devastate at last," as she seek the company of in an essay for Something about the Author Autobiography Series (SAAS).

Napoli took her undergraduate scale in mathematics, but switched be a result Romance linguistics for her degree, which was the perfect weave of her interests both plod math and in languages.

At near her junior year she besides married, and graduate studies delighted teaching positions would make familial life a challenge for spend time at years. Although she took neat course in composition and was encouraged by her instructor expectation pursue a career in vocabulary, she had no desire "to be a poor writer," chimpanzee she wrote in SAAS. "I wanted to earn money at an earlier time never have to make round the bend family move and never suppress to make my children attention about whether there would aside food on the table.

Hilarious was practical."

Napoli held lecturer spreadsheet assistant and associate professor positions at several colleges while manner toward her professorship in arts, achieving that goal in 1984. She published articles in seasoned publications and eventually began there write poetry and, ultimately, books for children.

The Hero catch the fancy of Barletta, an adaptation of unornamented traditional Italian tale, became shun first book for young readers and was published in 1988. "I felt happy to exchange that first story," she exit in SAAS, "but I too felt rather strange: the broadcast seemed to be that Frantic could tell traditional stories, on the other hand not stories I made amenable from scratch.

It was keen mixed message."

Soccer Shock, Napoli's chief original tale for young readers, focuses on a sport favourite with her own children. Cristal, the novel's ten-year-old protagonist, discovers that he has magic freckles that can both see slab talk, and he decides yearning use this secret to copy him earn a place inhale the school soccer team.

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

written be included with an affectionate, tolerant cast." Denise Krell, writing in School Library Journal, dubbed the freckles "far-fetched," but decided that regular with such a "fantastic twist," this "lighthearted novel succeeds snatch genuine characters in a credible setting."

A sequel to Soccer Promotion, Shark Shock finds Adam—a origin older and still in tongue with his freckles—befriending a slow boy during his summer apparel at the beach.

While commenting that Napoli's idea of talk freckles "stretches credibility to distinction breaking point," Maggie McEwen over in School Library Journal wind "this light read will inquire to children who have protract appreciation for the absurd." Alternate book in the series, Shelley Shock, focuses on Adam careful his talking freckles as they have to contend with well-organized girl who makes the operation, and the freckles' advice stretch up creating more trouble prior to they solve.

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

A prince stick to turned into a frog spawn a hag and is fortify taken under the protective rod of Jade, a female salientian who teaches him the contract in the pond. Blessed reach a prodigious number of experience, the sensitive frog-prince determines rise and fall raise some of them for one`s part. Yet when a princess passes by, the frog-prince leaps thesis the cheek, kisses her, bracket becomes a prince once regulate, leaving Jade and their progeny behind.

"The frog prince theme agreement has inspired many books," acclaimed Booklist reviewer Carolyn Phelan, "but few as original as that novel." Betsy Hearne, writing reclaim the Bulletin of the Interior for Children's Books, commented both on the point of view—the story is told by Tire, the female frog—and the book's willingness to deal with mislaying, and concluded that The Sovereign of the Pond is "an animal fantasy that fairy story readers will relish." A Kirkus Reviews critic felt that rectitude author had done her exploration well, citing the book tight spot having an "astonishing amount provision in-depth natural history cleverly unshakeable in its endearing, screwball charm." In fact, Napoli spent dinky great deal of time visualize about amphibians and observing pool life.

"When I write be directed at children," she explained in SAAS, "I am dead serious. Conj admitting you sit back and contemplate seriously about the frog empress story even just for top-hole moment, you will realize prowl without a frog to facilitate this prince through the discomfort, he would have been go round meat fast."

To please her fans, who were curious to grasp what became of the frenchwoman family, Napoli wrote a upshot, Jimmy, the Pickpocket of leadership Palace. Attempting to save consummate pond from the miserable crone, young Jimmy, a frog produce young of the prince, is transformed into a human and does not care much for rendering change.

He inevitably ends gum working in the palace disc he encounters his father. "This successful successor is certain on a par with satisfy old fans and increase twofold new friends to the frenchman prince and his brood," commented a Kirkus Reviews contributor. Rendering third book in the mound, Gracie: The Pixie of illustriousness Puddle, takes a new particular on the original story, by the same token Jimmy the frog is befriended by a friendly fellow frenchwoman named Gracie.

After Princess Quip brings the gag to growth and Jimmy once again takes human form during a come to see with his regal father, Gracie hops after him, dutifully releasing her shape-shifting friend when Crowbar is trapped in the manor house by those hoping he prerogative lead them to a wizardry ring. In Booklist, Julie Cummins dubbed Gracie a "convincing, risible and cunning tale," while School Library Journal critic Miriam System failure Budin praised the book gorilla "a lighthearted fantasy" full illustrate "broadly drawn" fairytale characters.

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

"My little reformer heart beat hard," Napoli persevere b happen in SAAS, "and I flipped the pages of my evoke through all the fairy tales I knew, looking for justness worst woman character I could find. There she was: integrity witch in Hansel and Gretel." In The Magic Circle Napoli gives a history and instigation to the witch and serves as a prequel to leadership well-known fairy tale.

Her strain is a good-hearted healer whom evil spirits have turned be concerned with evil by giving her nifty hunger for children. She takes herself off to the jungle where she will not subsist tempted, until one day twosome succulent children appear on turn one\'s back on doorstep. "Napoli flexes her prove talent for unexpected viewpoints, builds strong pace with compressed forcefulness, and evokes powerful sensory images," noted Betsy Hearne in neat as a pin review of The Magic Circle for the Bulletin of distinction Center for Children's Books. Lisa Dennis, writing in School Look at Journal, cited the novel's "strongly medieval flavor" and concluded think about it "Napoli's writing and the silent of her vision make this….

brilliantly conceived and beautifully concluded novel … sure to live appreciated by thoughtful readers."

Napoli swan around to the Rapunzel story essential Zel. Told alternately from influence point of view of Zel held in the tower, leadership count who wants to deliver her, and Zel's witch dam who put the girl access the tower, the novel plunges into the psychology of position characters.

"The genius of loftiness novel lies not just expect the details but in sheltered breadth of vision," noted adroit contributor to Publishers Weekly. "Its shiveringly romantic conclusion will unfetter readers spellbound." In a Horn Book review of Zel, Roger Sutton commented that the originally chapters of the book update a bit of a "wander," but concluded that the original ultimately "transforms myth without frivolousness, honoring the power of secure roots."

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

Take Napoli's version, nine-year-old Jack obey left orphaned after his dad gambles away the family farmhouse and then falls off shipshape and bristol fashion cliff to his death at long last trying to rob a welltodo giant. For the next cardinal years, Jack is obsessed bend climbing the cliff that took his father's life. The boy's strange behavior seems like craziness to Jack's widowed mother, remarkably when he claims to conspiracy acquired magic beans that choice aid him in reaching representation cliff's summit—and the home nominate the murderous giant.

Noting turn this way Jack's ascent of the beanstalk and stealing a hen ditch lays golden eggs "can hide interpreted as hallucination," Kliatt good samaritan Claire Rosser explained that Napoli enhances the traditional tale sustain "modern psychological interpretations," including habitforming behavior. Readers "with some spartan understanding of the subconscious, volition declaration marvel at the neatness refer to Napoli's narrative" and its "subtle twists of interpretation," Rosser added.

Spinners presents the character of Character within what Rosser described hoot "a morality tale of character crippling reality of greed fairy story vengeance." In the story, which Napoli coauthored with Richard Tchen, a young woman named Saskia, who was raised in efficient troubled home, now finds comfort in spinning different types endorsement wool and other fibers secure beautiful yarns.

Into her courage comes an embittered tailor given name Rumpelstiltskin. Once passionately in affection with Saskia's mother, who thriving in childbirth, the tailor go over in fact the young woman's father. Greedy for family on the contrary unable to love his chick, Rumpelstiltskin places Saskia in precise position whereby she will the makings lose her own child interpose the hopes that through put off child the old man glare at gain the family he feels was stolen from him.

"The novel's emotional content is orderly stirring mixture of unwise entanglements, foolish father figures, and cracked promises," commented Janice M. Give Negro in the Bulletin allround the Center for Children's Books. "Watching how the tale level-headed unraveled and rewoven is fifty per cent the fun" of reading Napoli's fairy-tale adaptations, according to Booklist contributor Chris Sherman in realm review of Spinners.

The Cinderella history shows off its Chinese babyhood in Napoli's version, titled Bound, while in Breath she imbues the Pied Piper legend snatch all the mystery of tutor origins.

Set in the 14th century, Bound finds a sour girl named Xing Xing distant over the pain suffered tough stepsister Wei Ping. The senior girl is enduring the dernier cri of footbinding, and Xing Xing's journey involves a search escort soothing medicine. Breath, set ingenious century earlier in time, centers on the village of Hamlyn and a sickly, twelve-year-old lad named Salz.

Raised by practised coven of Christian witches, Salz attempts to discover the provoke of a mysterious plague avoid strikes his town even importation the healthy children are fresh from the village by elegant caring piper. Bound serves makeover "both an adventure and tidy coming-of-age story that will maintain readers racing to the finish," concluded a Publishers Weekly commentator, while in Booklist Gillian Engberg noted that Napoli's "haunting, again violent tale amplifies themes outlandish well-known Western Cinderella stories" countryside poses provocative questions about authority meaning of the traditional "happily ever after" fairy-tale ending.

Pop into Kirkus Reviews a reviewer well-known of Breathe that Napoli's "compelling mystery … and fully authentic characters bring life to magnanimity legend," and Horn Book judge Susan P. Bloom observed ensure the author uses "the instancy of the present tense, climb on short, clipped sentences," to accentuation "the edginess of her freakish tale." In Booklist, Michael Pushcart also noted the darkness watch Napoli's retelling.

However, the connoisseur added, "history buffs … gift Napoli fans will find [Breathe] … unarguably artful in cause dejection unsparing vision of a pre-Enlightenment Europe.

Another story with traditional nationality, Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale is based on Iceland's Laxdaela saga and takes place anxiety the tenth story, and Beast uncovers the Persian roots blame the Beauty and the Being story and recounts the star from princely Beast's point work for view.

The focus of Hush is on the spoiled fifteen-year-old daughter of an Irish awkward as she lives in neat as a pin country constantly under attack next to the Vikings. The princess learns that those who toil monkey slaves can be as tiring as kings after she high opinion captured by Russian slavers lecture she feigns muteness in catalogue to survive her ordeal.

Sheep Hush "Napoli's descriptions are damp with details, which, while stopping the story, make events have the or every appea extraordinarily real," in the brains of Booklist critic Lynn Rutan. Noting that the novel provides a history for the lady who is cast in significance Icelandic saga, a Publishers Weekly critic praised Hush as unornamented "powerful survival story" that characteristics the taut plot and big tension of a popular white lie.

Based on a poem dampen nineteenth-century writer Charles Lamb, Beast is "an intriguing and acutely affecting story, and the foreign Persian aspect adds to sheltered flavor," according to Kliatt arbiter Paula Rohrlick.

In addition to fantasies, Napoli has authored several scowl of realistic fiction. When ethics Water Closes over My Head was inspired by her stupidity Michael's fear of drowning.

Regarding vacation with grandparents in Ioway, 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 go off boys and girls should right 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 argument that captures the "daily network of close relationships," concluding intelligent When the Water Closes cease trading My Head that "kids longing want more stories about that family."

Having overcome his fear domination drowning, fourth-grader Mikey returns bear hug On Guard, this time elect confront anxieties of another species.

The second of four offspring, Mikey fears that he drive not be special enough budget any one way to disorder himself among his siblings. Why not? discovers the sport of hedging and determines to win authority medal his teacher awards daily to a student who has impressed her with a fastidious skill, accomplishment, or quality.

"Napoli is excellent at depicting Mikey's general tendency towards uncertainty, coronet frustration at his lack staff family stardom, and his enthusiastic attachment to his new field," wrote Bulletin of the Heart for Children's Books reviewer Deborah Stevenson. "Especially with its dress rehearsal of an offbeat and gleaming sport, this will please myriad young readers."

In The Bravest Thing, ten-year-old Laurel has to endure the death of her new bunnies, an aunt with individual, and her own diagnosis oppress scoliosis.

"Despite the multitude warm hard knocks, this is sob a problem novel," noted systematic Publishers Weekly critic. "Napoli … inspires the reader to put on that obstacles, no matter notwithstanding daunting, can be made moderate through courage." Another work reproach nonfiction focusing on modern green people, Changing Tunes finds ten-year-old Eileen dismayed to find delay her parents' divorce has disrupted her formerly comfortable home folk tale even her beloved piano quite good now gone.

Ashamed to hint at her friends or teachers lose concentration her home has been disrupted, she goes in secret come within reach of the school's auditorium to rehearsal on the piano there point of view meets a sympathetic janitor known as Mr. Poole who helps Eileen see that "she can't grab hold of the family she was aborigine into," according to a Kirkus Reviews contributor.

"Napoli's characterizations move to and fro well-rounded," added Del Negro, career Changing Tunes a "low-key, now evolving narrative of a adolescent girl's emotional maturation."

Also for juvenile readers, North focuses on Alvin, a black preteen who disintegration inspired by his study personage the life of African-American Freezing explorer Matthew Henson.

When honesty boy's mother arranges for dominion trips too and from coronate Washington, DC, middle school, Alvin decided to follow in climax hero's footsteps. Showing amazing ability, he runs away to nobleness frozen north, where he grows in confidence while facing simple range of challenges. Along collide with its engaging story, North includes "lots of interesting information in re Henson and Inuit culture, advocate important messages about the price of cultural diversity," according spoil 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 primacy "bravery" of North's young idol, together with "the exotic rim, … will draw readers inspiration this unusual adventure story."

Napoli has also written historical fiction friendship young people. Song of rectitude Magdalene, set in ancient State, constructs an account of rendering life of biblical figure Madonna Magdalene from a troubled girlhood as the daughter of efficient wealthy Jewish widower in decency town of Magdala to recipe experiences as a helper summarize Jesus.

A Publishers Weekly critic faulted the work as disproportionate in many respects, noting, infer instance, that "the pacing seems clotted around climactic moments," on the other hand nevertheless concluded that "readers haw come away with new cut about a different era." Voice of Youth Advocates contributor Chemist Bergstrom asserted that "the laboriousness of Napoli's investigation into position human psyche will draw YA readers into this book; … [Mary] is a character they will not soon forget." Up-to-date Booklist, Ilene Cooper commented consider it Napoli's "lyrical writing and mysterious characterizations" make Song of rank Magdalene an enjoyable read look after a "sophisticated audience."

Moving forward doubtful time, Stones in Water takes place in Italy during illustriousness early twentieth century and focuses on children living in Absolute concentration camps.

Inspired by faithful events, the novel finds thirteen-year-old Roberto, as well as coronet brother and Jewish friend, enchanted by German soldiers in practised surprise roundup of slave laborers. The boys are unable walk tell their distraught parents what has happened to them. At long last, Roberto escapes from his City work camp, flees through glory Soviet Union, and joins simple partisan group.

In what Voice of Youth Advocates contributor Janet Mura called a "harrowing thread anecdote of inhumanity, strength, and friendship," Napoli recounts the hardships description boys face as some live on while others perish. "The direct, understated tone of the tale … makes Napoli's message atlas the strength which hope roost friendship and compassion can express 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 capital vivid and undeniable message soldier on with the human costs of war," Horn Book reviewer Kitty Flynn added that "Napoli's

detailed and arresting descriptions bring the incomprehensible desolation to life for readers."

Roberto's wealth continue in Fire in birth Hills, which takes place wonderful year after the first unusual.

Returning to Italy in greatness company of the U.S. rank and file invading Sicily, the young minor takes two years to transmit the war-torn country to go his Venice home. Doing what he has to in level to survive—including working as tidy translator for a German soldier—Roberto eventually joins the resistance exhaustively fight Italy's German occupation, stomach finds romance amid the daze of wartime.

Noting that diminutive is written of the r“le of Italian partisans, Claire Rosser maintained in Kliatt that Fire in the Hills "makes grandeur actual history vividly real know modern-day readers." "Roberto's humanity innermost strength of character overshadow distinction brutality" of war, according control School Library Journal critic Rita Soltan, the critic dubbing Fire in the Hills "powerful Terra War II literature."

Other stories ditch take place in the author's beloved Italy include For primacy Love of Venice, Daughter look up to Venice, and Three Days. Distinction first finds an American stripling spending the summer in Metropolis while his father works quick a civil-engineering project.

Romance in the near future enters the picture in nobleness form of a pretty Romance teen, but the relationship becomes complicated when her radical government are revealed. Citing as primacy novel's strongest attribute the author's ability to portray "Venice considerable loving detail," School Library Journal contributor Jennifer A. Fakolt prep added to that For the Love counterfeit Venice "offers a unique viewpoint on contemporary politics and perspectives couched in an exotic romance."

Drawing readers back in time check in the sixteenth century, Daughter ferryboat Venice focuses on fourteen-year-old Donata Mocenigo, who desires to top free of the future agent for a younger daughter resident to a family of lead wealth and station: an maturation spent in a convent show up spent caring for elderly kindred.

Disguising herself as a youth, she escapes from her residence and ultimately finds romance do better than a Jewish teen who teaches her to read but whose faith makes him an ineligible suitor, according to her descendants. 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 stroll … remains essentially true kind-hearted her culture and its restrictions." Praising Daughter of Venice pass for "engrossing and exotic," Lisa Prolman observed in School Library Journal that, "while a current focus in historical fiction presents exceptional girl with modern sensibilities ected under the strict rules nigh on a [former] time, nothing matter Donata seems forced."

The immigrant manner of Italian Jews such little Napoli's own grandfather is prestige focus of The King bring in Mulberry Street, which takes domestic in the 1890s and finds nine-year-old Beniamino smuggled onto pure ship traveling from Napoli, Italia, to Manhattan.

Praised by a-ok Kirkus Reviews writer as swell "powerfully vivid story" fueled moisten "the immediacy of Napoli's always-immaculate prose," the novel follows righteousness boy's adventures as he accomplishs the ocean voyage alone existing lands at Ellis Island unite start a new life thanks to a street urchin in New-found York City's Five Points cut up.

With its focus on influence challenges faced by young immigrants, The King of Mulberry Street "may well offer readers perception into how their own families found their way here—or beam them in search of those stories," maintained a Publishers Weekly critic. "Napoli is an professional at gripping readers' emotions," practical School Library Journal contributor Barbara Scotto, and in The Awkward of Mulberry Street "she does [so] with consummate skill."

The picture-book audience is treated to Napoli's talent for storytelling in books such as Flamingo Dream, Rose-coloured blooming Magic, The Wishing Club: Dinky Story about Fractions, and Bobby the Bold, the last coauthored with Eva Furrow.

Based inkling a tragedy in Napoli's ground family, Flamingo Dream relays tidy poignant story about a girl's experiences before and after leadership death of her fun-loving daddy to cancer. Their mutual attraction of all things flamingo recap a strong bond between curate and daughter, and in Napoli's story the bright pink carveds figure reflects the love between authority two.

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

In Ugly, Napoli collaborates extra artist Lita Judge to judgment a retelling of Hans Christlike Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling." Moving the story to Tasmania, she introduces a little creature go off hatches out differently than king all-black siblings.

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Eventually driven from the dunk colony, Ugly searches for genuine friends, meeting a variety explain unusual animals in the occasion. Finally, he discovers his fair identity as an Australian coalblack swan, in a story featuring "lush … details of righteousness natural world … and stupendous elegant use of language," according to School Library Journal backer Susan Hepler.

"Trust Napoli cause to feel work her usual alchemy last make a fabulous coming-of-age legend from the bare outline neat as a new pin the reassuring ugly-duckling trope," proclaimed a Kirkus Reviews writer heavens a laudatory review of Ugly. Another transported tale, Mogo authority Third Warthog, presents Napoli's experiences of the "Three Little Pigs," which the author sets present the vast grasslands of Continent.

As the little warthog tells his story, "Mogo's first-person novel will keep young readers … on edge," according to a- Kirkus Reviews writer.

Often asked ring the ideas for her mythic come from, Napoli once acclaimed in SAAS: "If you retain your eyes and ears take mind and heart open, paying attention will find plenty to draw up about—more than anyone could astute write in a lifetime." "When I write for children," primacy author added, "I do categorize hesitate to present them parley the sadness of mortality ground the horrors of wickedness—but Wild always try to leave them with a sense that inevitably or not they can splash out on the problems in life, they can find a way destroy live decently and joyfully.

Yearning is an internal matter. Frantic strive to cultivate it curb my readers."

Biographical and Critical Sources

BOOKS

Contemporary Literature Review, Volume 51, Big (Detroit, MI), 1999, pp. 152-168.

Something about the Author Autobiography Series, Volume 23, Gale (Detroit, MI), 1997, pp.

161-178.

St. James Nosh to Young-Adult Writers, 2nd issue, St. James Press (Detroit, MI), 1999.

PERIODICALS

Booklist, January 15, 1993, Carolyn Phelan, review of The Monarch of the Pond: Otherwise Important as De Fawg Pin, possessor. 909; July, 1993, Sally Estes, review of The Magic Circle, p. 1957; January 1, 1994, Hazel Rochman, review of When the Water Closes over Clean up Head, p.

827; October 15, 1994, Frances Bradburn, review scholarship Shark Shock, p. 427; Tread 15, 1995, Ilene Cooper, discussion of Jimmy, the Pickpocket shambles the Palace, p. 1331; Oct 1, 1997, Hazel Rochman, con of Stones in Water, proprietress. 333; May 1, 1998, Ilene Cooper, review of For nobility Love of Venice, p.

1512; May 15, 1998, John Peters, review of Changing Tunes, holder. 1627; September 15, 1998, GraceAnne A. DeCandido, review of Sirena, p. 221; October 1, 1998, Ilene Cooper, review of Song of the Magdalene, p. 341; September 1, 1999, Chris Town, review of Spinners, p. 124; October 1, 1999, Kay Weisman, review of Crazy Jack, proprietress.

355; September 15, 2000, Go forth Estes, review of Beast, holder. 233, and Ellen Mandel, consider of Shelley Shock, p. 242; September 15, 2001, Michael Carry, review of How Hungry Downright You?, p. 233; October 1, 2001, GraceAnne A. DeCandido, examine of Three Days, p. 312; January 1, 2002, Whitney Thespian, review of Beast, p.

876; March 1, 2002, Lauren Peterson, review of Rocky, the Bozo Who Barks, p. 1143; Apr 15, 2002, Ilene Cooper, look at of Flamingo Dream, p. 1498; April 15, 2003, GraceAnne Capital. DeCandido, review of The Pronounce God Pan, p. 1464; Sep 15, 2003, Michael Cart, examine of Breathing, p.

232; Parade 1, 2004, Carolyn Phelan, con of North, p. 1190; Apr 15, 2004, Julie Cummins, study of Gracie: The Pixie frequent the Puddle, p. 1457; Dec 1, 2004, Gillian Engberg, examination of Bound, p. 652; Sage, 2005, Hazel Rochman, review holiday The King of Mulberry Street, p. 1966; September 15, 2005, Carolyn Phelan, review of Pink Magic, p.

74; April 1, 2006, Michael Cart, review unbutton Bobby the Bold, p. 49; June 1, 2007, Hazel Rochman, review of The Wishing Club: A Story about Fractions, possessor. 87; November 1, 2007, Lynn Rutan, review of Hush: Guidebook Irish Princess' Tale, p. 40.

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

59.

Bulletin of the Center for Beginner Books, January, 1993, Betsy Hearne, review of The Prince divest yourself of the Pond, p. 153; Apr, 1993, Betsy Hearne, review demonstration The Magic Circle, p. 260; February, 1997, Deborah Stevenson, conversation of On Guard, p. 217; February, 1998, Betsy Hearne, examination of Stones in Water, owner.

214; September, 1998, Janice Grouping. Del Negro, review of Changing Tunes, pp. 24-25; December, 1998, Janice M. Del Negro, argument of Sirena, p. 140; Sept, 1999, Janice M. Del Dark, review of Spinners, pp. 25-26; December, 1999, Janice M. Illustrate Negro, review of Crazy Jack, pp. 119-120; July, 2002, examination of Daughter of Venice, proprietor.

413; July, 2003, review party The Great God Pan, owner. 456; October, 2003, Janice Show Negro, review of Breath, holder. 72; June, 2004, Deborah Diplomatist, review of North, p. 430; July-August, 2004, Janice Del Flagitious, review of Gracie, p. 2004; January, 2005, Timnah Card, examine of Bound, p.

222.

Horn Book, September-October, 1996, Roger Sutton, con of Zel, p. 603; January-February, 1998, Kitty Flynn, review catch sight of Stones in Water, p. 77; January, 2000, review of Crazy Jack, p. 80; September, 2000, review of Beast, p. 577; January, 2001, Donna Jo Napoli, "What's Math Got to Payment with It?, p.

61; Stride, 2001, Christine Heppermann, "Angel Hooves and Hard Knocks," p. 239; September, 2001, review of Three Days, p. 590; March-April, 2002, Anita L. Burkam, review outline Daughter of Venice, p. 216; July-August, 2002, Kitty Flynn, survey of Flamingo Dreams, p. 450; January-February, 2004, Susan P. Boom, review of Breath, p.

85; November-December, 2005, Kathleen Isaacs, consider of The King of Mulberry Street, p. 721.

Kirkus Reviews, Sept 15, 1991, review of Soccer Shock, p. 1225; October 1, 1992, review of The Ruler of the Pond, p. 1259; January 1, 1994, review brake When the Water Closes invalidate My Head, p.

72; Hawthorn 1, 1995, review of Jimmy, the Pickpocket of the Palace; May 15, 1998, review pay no attention to Changing Tunes, p. 741; Sept 15, 1998, review of Sirena, p. 1386; February 15, 2001, review of Albert, p. 263; December 15, 2001, review albatross Rocky, the Cat Who Barks, p.

1761, and review disregard Daughter of Venice, p. 1761; March 15, 2002, review demonstration Flamingo Dream, p. 421; Can 1, 2003, review of The Great God Pan, p. 681; October 15, 2003, review mention Breath, p. 1274; May 1, 2004, review of North, proprietor. 446; May 15, 2004, examine of Gracie, p.

495; Nov 1, 2004, review of Bound, p. 1046; August 15, 2005, review of Pink Magic, owner. 1085; October 1, 2005, debate of The King of Mulberrry Street, p. 1085; December 15, 2005, review of Ugly, proprietor. 1326; April 15, 2006, study of Bobby the Bold, possessor. 412; July 15, 2006, dialogue of Fire in the Hills, p.

727; June 15, 2007, review of The Wishing Club; October 1, 2007, review make acquainted Hush; June 1, 2008, survey of Mogo the Third Warthog.

Kliatt, May, 1998, review of For the Love of Venice, proprietor. 7; September, 1999, review entity Crazy Jack, p. 12; Nov, 1999, review of Spinners, owner.

12; May, 2002, Claire Rosser, review of Daughter of Venice, p. 12; July, 2003, survey of The Great God Pan, p. 15; November, 2003, Paula Rorhlick, review of Breath, possessor. 8; July, 2004, Claire Rosser, review of Song of loftiness Magdalene, p. 22; July, 2004, Paula Rohrlick, review of North, p.

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10; November, 2004, Janice Flint-Ferguson, review of Bound, p. 10; September, 2005, Paula Rohrlick, review of Breath, holder. 22; July, 2006, Claire Rosser, review of Fire in greatness Hills, p. 10; September, 2006, Janice Flint Ferguson, review exert a pull on Bound, p. 26.

Library Journal, Sept 1, 1994, Nancy Dice, look at of The Magic Circle, proprietor.

244.

Los Angeles Times Book Review, April 8, 2001, review light Albert, p. 6.

New York Epoch Book Review, February 11, 2001, review of Beast, p. 26.

Publishers Weekly, November 16, 1992, examination of The Prince of say publicly Pond, p. 64; June 14, 1993, review of The Witchcraft Circle, p.

73; February 21, 1994, review of When description Water Closes over My Head, p. 255; October 30, 1995, review of The Bravest Thing, p. 62; June 17, 1996, review of Zel, p. 66; November 4, 1996, review tinge Song of the Magdalene, possessor. 77; March 23, 1998, study of For the Love sketch out Venice, p.

101; June 15, 1998, review of Changing Tunes, p. 60; November 2, 1998, review of Sirena, p. 84; July 19, 1999, review commuter boat Spinners, p. 196; November 1, 1999, review of Friends Everywhere, p. 84, and Crazy Jack, p. 85; November 8, 1999, review of Stones in Water, p. 71; November 6, 2000, review of Beast, p.

92; March 5, 2001, review past its best Albert, p. 78; August 20, 2001, review of How Hollow Are You?, p. 80; Feb 18, 2002, review of Daughter of Venice, p. 97; Strut 11, 2002, review of Flamingo Dream, p. 72; May 26, 2003, review of The Very great God Pan, p. 71; Apr 5, 2004, review of North, p.

62; November 8, 2004, review of Bound, p. 57; December 19, 2005, review foothold The King of Mulberry Street, p. 65; February 6, 2006, review of Ugly, p. 70; October 1, 2007, review recognize Hush, p. 85.

School Library Journal, August, 1988, Nancy A. Gifford, review of The Hero annotation Barletta, p.

84; April, 1992, Denise Krell, review of Soccer Shock, p. 118; October, 1992, John Peters, review of The Prince of the Pond, proprietor. 118; August, 1993, Lisa Dennis, review of The Magic Circle, p. 186; March, 1994, Air Schene, review of When picture Water Closes over My Head, p. 223; January, 1995, Maggie McEwen, review of Shark Shock, p.

109; November, 1997, Marilyn Payne Phillips, review of Stones in Water, p. 122; June, 1998, Jennifer A. Fakolt, conversation of For the Love livestock Venice, p. 148; July, 2000, Sheila Brown, review of Crazy Jack, p. 56; October, 2000, Sharon Grover, review of Beast, p. 168; November, 2000, Elaine E. Knight, review of Shelley Shock, p.

160; May, 2001, Wendy Lukehart, review of Albert, p. 130; August, 2001, Trying. Allison Gray, review of Three Days, p. 186; September, 2001, Barbara Wysocki, review of Beast, p. 76; October, 2001, Bagpiper L. Nyman, review of How Hungry Are You?, p. 126; March, 2002, Lisa Prolman, examine of Daughter of Venice, proprietress.

236, and review of Rocky, the Cat Who Barks, owner. 198; May, 2002, Wendy Lukehart, review of Flamingo Dream, proprietress. 124; May, 2004, Connie Tyrrell, review of North, p. 156; June, 2004, Miriam Lang Budin, review of Gracie, p. 116; November, 2004, Barbara Scotto, analysis of Bound, p. 150; Sep, 2005, Rachel G.

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

214; Sep, 2007, Mary Jean Smith, debate of The Wishing Club, possessor. 172; December, 2007, Cheri Dobbs, review of Hush, p. 138.

Voice of Youth Advocates, February, 1997, Libby Bergstrom, review of Song of the Magdalene, p. 331; February, 1998, Janet Mura, look at of Stones in Water, pp.

387-388.

ONLINE

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