Ellsworth, Loretta 1954-

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Ellsworth, Loretta 1954-

PERSONAL:

Born September 27, 1954, in Mason City, IA; father's name Gordon (a carpenter); mother's name Pat (a homemaker); married; husband's name Jim (a computer engineer); children: Chris, Brian, Andrew, Erin. Education: University of Northern Iowa, B.A., 1977. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Roman Catholic.

CAREER:

St. John the Baptist School, Savage, MN, teacher, 1993—.

WRITINGS:

The Shrouding Woman (young adult novel), Henry Holt (New York, NY), 2002.

In Search of Harper Lee (young adult novel), Henry Holt (New York, NY), 2005.

SIDELIGHTS:

Loretta Ellsworth told CA: "I grew up in a large family—five brothers and a sister, plus many cousins and aunts and uncles. I didn't write much as a child, but I did read, and most importantly, I listened. I sat glued to the kitchen chair as my aunts and mother talked, taking in everything until I was told to go outside and play. As a result, I usually only heard half the story and had to use my imagination to make up the rest. I think this is why I always have stories inside my head, stored up for many years, just waiting to be told."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 15, 2002, Frances Bradburn, review of The Shrouding Woman, p. 1606.

School Library Journal, April, 2002, Cindy Darling Codell, review of The Shrouding Woman, p. 146.

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