Christopher Paul Curtis
Christopher Paul Curtis was born May 10, 1953, in Flint, Michigan. Curtis is an American author of young people's literature who received the 2000 Newbery Medal. The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association (ALA) to the author of the most distinguished American work of children's literature published in the previous year. Curtis wrote his first book in 1993, The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963. An early draft of the book won a Jules Hopwood Prize from the University of Michigan, and the published version merited a Newbery Honor Award in 1996. Curtis second book, Bud, Not Buddy which was narrated by a motherless boy who embarks on a search for his unknown father during the Great Depression earned him the Newbery Medal as well as the ALA's Coretta Scott King Award. Another book was written by Curtis, Elijah of Buxton, follows a young slave who faces danger after escaping to Canada on the Underground Railroad. This book earned him another Coretta Scott King award. Curtis won many awards for most of his published books. Curtis did not intend to write specifically for children, but he felt that his stories were best told from a child's perspective. The characters experiences were often coloured by events from Curtis's own life, and the tales were told in a fresh, original voice that appealed to young readers. Christopher Curtis can be seen as a classic writer and a contemporary writer. He is a classic writer because many of his books focused on historical events. These events range from the Great Depression to the civil rights movement. He is a contemporary writer because of the time frame his books were published. Curtis's first book was published in 1995, and he is still an active writer today. Curtis is a great classic writer because he as able to incorporate many American historical events in his book. Even though his books deal with history, he is able to reach the young adult audience. Many you adult readers love books they can relate to, and Curtis does just that. He is able to grasp his readers attention by creating narrators who experience many of the same struggles as kids today. Even though they are not in the same time period, the same issues still occurs with that age group. He is a great classic author because he is able to teach his readers historical event by writing relatable texts. Curtis is a great contemporary writer because he is still writing today. Considering the genre of his books are historical fiction, he is still able to reach young adults today. It is hard to get students interested in history, and Curtis can do that with his books. He makes students want to pick up books and read. He also makes them want to research the issues that occur in his novels. Curtis is a great contemporary writer because he is able to reach the young adult audience by writing relatable historical books. Curtis is an unique writer because he is able to grasp the attention of young readers by writing about different historical events that took place in the United States. Curtis books always tell a story, and the stories are filled with numerous jaw-dropping moments. They also make the readers want to turn to the next page. His books always have young narrators as well. This makes his books relatable to many of his readers because they are around the same age as the narrator. Even though the stories are during a different time period, readers can relate because they deal with some of the same struggles as the narrators, such as bullies, teachers, family issues, and more. Many of the readers experience these same issues in their own way. It is amazing how Curtis can grasp their attention while teaching them about different historical events. |
Interested in more of Curtis's books?Bud, not Buddy 1999
Elijah of Buxton 2007 The Mighty Miss Malone 2012 The Journey of Little Charlie 2018 |
Historical FictionThe books I have listed are not all of his books, but these are well known. Each of them are written during different times in American history.
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Audience?Curtis does not limit himself when trying to reach readers. His books have both male and female narrators and main characters. I encourage you all to read his books. You will not be disappointed.
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