Supeene, Shelagh Lynne 1952-

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SUPEENE, Shelagh Lynne 1952-

PERSONAL:

Born June 1, 1952, in Clinton, Ontario, Canada; daughter of Harold and Margaret Supeene; married Tom Slee (a technical writer), May 2, 1987; children: Jamie, Simon. Education: McMaster University, B.A. (with honors), 1979, studied Chinese language and philosophy at McMaster University, 1979-81.

ADDRESSES:

Agent—c/o Author Mail, Orca Book Publishers, 1030 North Park St., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8T 1C6. E-mail—slsupeene@sentex.net.

CAREER:

Writer. Has also worked as teaching assistant in adult education center and dry cleaning clerk.

MEMBER:

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Writers' Union of Canada.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Nora Epstein Fiction Contest winner, 1970, for "The Pebble"; Ontario graduate scholarships, 1980 and 1981; Canada Council exploration grants, 1987 and 1988.

WRITINGS:

As for the Sky, Falling: A Critical Look at Psychiatry and Suffering (adult nonfiction), Second Story Press (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), 1991.

My Name Is Mitch, Orca Book Publishers (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada), 2003.

Contributor to Toronto Star, Kitchener Record, and other newspapers and newsletters.

WORK IN PROGRESS:

Like an Arrow, a young adult novel.

SIDELIGHTS:

Shelagh Lynne Supeene began writing for youngsters when her own children were small. Prior to that time she had studied world religions, specializing in ancient Chinese philosophy and language. She has also researched mental illness and myalgic encephalomyelitis, better known as chronic fatigue syndrome. Supeene's first published novel for young adults, My Name Is Mitch, is a story about a nonconformist sixth-grader and his troubles at school and at home. Mitch is small for his age. He wears glasses and has trouble with bullies. How he handles these issues while trying to reconcile himself to his parents' breakup forms the crux of the novel. In Resource Links, Lisa Mowat suggested that My Name Is Mitch offers "topics teachers and students can really sink their teeth into." Sherie Posesorski in Quill & Quire praised the work for its "clear, engaging prose."