Weyn, Suzanne 1955–

PERSONAL: Surname sounds like "Wayne"; born July 6, 1955, in Flushing, NY; daughter of Theodore (a pharmacist) and Jacqueline (a watercolorist; maiden name, Traub) Weyn; married William Gonzalez (in sheet-metal construction) May 15, 1986; children: Diana. Education: Nassau Community College, A.A., 1975; State University of New York, B.A., 1977. Politics: Democrat. Hobbies and other interests: Swimming, traveling, reading novels and history, learning about ancient religions.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Andrea Brown, Literary Agent, 301 West 53rd St., Ste. 13B, New York, NY 10019.

CAREER: Ideals Publishing, New York, NY, editor, 1977–79; Starlog Press, New York, NY, editor, 1979–81; Scholastic, Inc., New York, NY, staff writer, associate editor, 1981–84; Parachute Press, New York, NY, senior editor, 1984–87; New York University, New York, NY, part-time teacher of children's and business writing, 1987–89.

WRITINGS:

FOR CHILDREN

The Littles Sticker Book, illustrated by Manny Champana, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1984.

(With Grace Maccarone) The Littles Help Out, illustrated by Bob Clarke, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1984.

Dirk the Daring in the Quest for the Stolen Fortune (based on a cartoon by Don Bluth), Marvel (New York, NY), 1984.

My Sticker Memory Book, Parachute Press, 1984.

(With Grace Maccarone) The Little Winner, illustrated by Bob Clarke, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1984.

My Camp Diary, illustrated by Ann Iosa, Bradbury (New York, NY), 1986.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (novelization of the Disney film), Scholastic (New York, NY), 1987.

The Day the Frogs Came to Lunch, illustrated by John Speirs, Marvel (New York, NY), 1988.

Love Song, Ballantine (New York, NY), 1988.

Little Women Diary, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1988.

Into the Dream, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1989.

Chip 'n' Dale's Rescue Rangers: The Missing Eggs Caper, illustrated by Paul Edwards, Golden Books (New York, NY), 1989.

Green-eyed Pearl, illustrated by Fred Marvin, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1992.

Nefazia Visits the Palace, illustrated by Fred Marvin, Disney Press (New York, NY), 1992.

All Alone in the Eighth Grade, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1992.

Elliot's Ghost, illustrated by Kathy Wilburn, Bantam (New York, NY), 1993.

My Brother, the Ghost, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1994.

Full House: That's the Way It Crumbles, Cookie, Troll (Metuchen, NJ), 1994.

Lucky, Lucky Day, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1995.

How to Be Cool, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1997.

Mil-Order Brother, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1998.

The Story on Older Boys, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1998.

Saying and Signing: Cool Sayings and Tips for Signing Autograph Books, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2000.

New Jersey: The Garden State, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2000.

As Miss Know-It-All (based on Full House television program), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 2000.

(Adaptor) Clifford's Hiccups (based on characters created by Norman Bridwell), Scholastic (New York, NY), 2001.

The Big Egg Hunt (based on characters created by Norman Bridwell), Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

Play Ball!: Running the Bases with Babe Ruth, illustrated by Duendes del Sur, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

(Adaptor) Catch That Kid (based on the screenplay by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas), Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

Mission without Permission, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

The Renaissance Kids, Good Year Books, 2004.

The Bar Code Tattoo, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

The Museum Chase, Pearson (Upper Saddle River, NJ), 2004.

(Adaptor) Sleepover (based on the screenplay by Elisa Bell), Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

An Amazing Journey, Pearson (Upper Saddle River, NJ), 2005.

(With Diana Gonzalez) South Beach Sizzle, Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2005.

The Night Dance, Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2005.

"MAKEOVER" SERIES

The Makeover Club, Avon (New York, NY), 1986.

The Makeover Summer, Avon (New York, NY), 1988.

The Makeover Campaign, Avon (New York, NY), 1990.

"NO WAY BALLET" SERIES

Stepping Out, illustrated by Joel Iskowitz, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.

A Twist of Fate, illustrated by Joel Iskowitz, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.

Emma's Turn, illustrated by Joel Iskowitz, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.

Stage Fright, illustrated by Joel Iskowitz, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.

Pointing toward Trouble, illustrated by Joel Iskowitz, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.

Three for the Show, illustrated by Joel Iskowitz, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.

"SITTING PRETTY" SERIES

Checking In, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.

True Blue, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1991.

Star Magic, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1991.

Liza's Lucky Break, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1991.

A Chance for Chris, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1991.

Boy Trouble, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1991.

"ADVENTURES WITH BARBIE" SERIES

The Phantom of Shrieking Pond, Price Stern Sloan (New York, NY), 1992.

Animal Escapades, Price Stern Sloan (New York, NY), 1993.

Mermaid Island, Price Stern Sloan (New York, NY), 1993.

Star-swept Adventure, Price Stern Sloan (New York, NY), 1993.

Wild Horse Run, Price Stern Sloan (New York, NY), 1993.

"COVER KIDS" SERIES

Nicole's Chance, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1994.

Tracey's Tough Choice, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1994.

Ashley's Big Mistake, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1994.

Chloe Mania!, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1994.

"FOREVER ANGELS" SERIES

Christina's Dancing Angel, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1996.

The Forgotten Angel, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1996.

The Golden Angel, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1996.

Katie's Angel, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1996.

The Snow Angel, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1996.

Ashley's Lost Angel, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1996.

The Blossom Angel, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1996.

Ashley's Love Angel, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1996.

The Baby Angel, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1997.

An Angel for Molly, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1997.

Movie Star Angel, Troll Associates (Metuchen, NJ), 1998.

"ELMO IN GROUCHLAND" SERIES

Happy Grouchy Day, illustrated by John Lund, CTW Books (New York, NY), 1999.

The Grouchiest Lovey, illustrated by Tom Brannon, CTW Books (New York, NY), 1999.

Unwelcome to Grouchland, illustrated by Tom Brannon, CTW Books (New York, NY), 1999.

"SCOOBY-DOO" SERIES

Scooby-Doo! and You: The Case of the Batty Vampire, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2001.

(Adaptor) Scooby-Doo Movie Novelization (based on the screenplay by James Gunn), Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

(With Vickie Erwin) Scooby-Doo's Super Case Book, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

Scooby-Doo and the Dance Club Curse, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2003.

Scooby-Doo's Super Case Book II, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

(Adaptor) Scooby-Doo and the Loch Ness Monster (based on the script by Douglas Wood), Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

Scooby-Doo II: Monsters Unleashed, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.

SIDELIGHTS: "Stories and especially stories about people have always been the most interesting to me," children's book author Suzanne Weyn once commented. The author of dozens of books for young people, Weyn specifically addresses pre-teen girls with series such as "The Makeover Club," "No Way Ballet," "Cover Kids," and "Adventures with Barbie." Among middle-grade boys, her series based on the Scooby-Doo feature film has also attracted readers. "I enjoy telling stories that deal with growth," Weyn explained. "That's why writing for and about girls from ages ten to fifteen is so much fun. It's an exciting time. Old perceptions are melting, new potentials are emerging."

Born in Flushing, New York, in 1955, Weyn grew up in and around New York City. As a child she kept a journal and spent her free time writing stories and poems. "My two other great loves while growing up were art and drama," Weyn explained, adding that she was also influenced by the creativity of her mother, a watercolor painter. Weyn was active in theatre, literature, and art throughout high school and college, and although she has spent much of her adult career in writing and editorial work, she maintains that her background in both art and drama has been helpful. "Drama has helped me with dialogue and art helps me visualize what I'm writing about."

Weyn's first published book for children, The Littlest Sticker Book, was published by Scholastic, where she was working at the time. Even after she moved to another publisher, she continued to work on other books, including film novelizations such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Little Women Diary and television programs such as Full House.

One of Weyn's most popular series for teen girls is the "Makeover Club" series. Comprised of three books—The Makeover Club, The Makeover Summer, and The Makeover Campaign—the series features Clarissa, Sara, and Marsh, who, after being snubbed by the prettiest girl in the class, resolve to do something besides feel bad about themselves. As summer starts, they begin to exercise, eat right, and learn new beauty secrets—some, like an unfortunate episode with hair color, do not turn out as desired—in an effort to compete with their attractive rival once they begin high school. Voice of Youth Advocates contributor Susan Ackler called The Makeover Club "a pleasant book on friendship, family and growing up." Of the sequel The Makeover Summer, Voice of Youth Advocates reviewer Geraldine G. Harris praised Weyn's story of "friendship and how true friends can overcome adversities," and hoped to "hear more from this group" of young protagonists.

In the "Sitting Pretty" series, published between 1990 and 1991, Weyn introduces readers to a group of high-school freshmen who are trying to juggle school, friends, and romance. In Boy Trouble, fifteen-year-old Sam begins dating on the sly because her father has forbidden relationships with boys until she is older. A part-time job at a summer resort makes Chris wish she was more attractive after a cute pool boy catches her eye in A Chance for Chris. And in Liza's Lucky Break the title character risks her baby-sitting job when she has the chance to become an extra in a movie being filmed at the hotel where she works.

Weyn's other novels for young people include My Brother, the Ghost, South Beach Sizzle, and The Bar Code Tattoo. My Brother, the Ghost finds siblings Sara and Michael less than thrilled about their family's new home—a mansion recently inherited by one of their parents—after an evil spirit ends its slumber and begins to haunt the place. Noting that the book is "unusually well written" for a horror story, School Library Journal reviewer Elaine E. Knight maintained that My Brother, the Ghost supplies "pleasant, nonthreatening shivers for middle grade readers." Comparing the story to the work of popular horror-fiction writer R.L. Stine, Frances Bradburn remarked in Booklist that Weyn's spine-tingler "is fast paced, with hooks at the end of each chapter that pull readers into the next."

In South Beach Sizzle best friends Lula and Jeff become co-workers and roommates their first summer after high-school graduation. On her off hours, the pair decide to start a rock band, while Lula develops a crush on the handsome Enrique. When she realizes that her latest heartthrob is a musician with a competing band in an upcoming band contest, she begins to question her feelings. Kayla, in The Bar Code Tattoo, is living in a near-future society where the seventeenth-birthday anniversary involves getting a tattoo, ordered by the giant Global-l Corporation, in order to identify—and maybe even control—every citizen. When she suspects that the tattoos may also cause evil, Kayla joins a resistance movement hiding out in New York's Adirondack Mountains and discovers that her unique talents may be the key to the group's future. In the School Library Journal, Julie Scordato wrote that Weyn's sci-fi novel "examines issues of individuality versus conformity and individual freedom versus government control"; Sarah Applegate predicted in a Kliatt review that teens will "enjoy the multilayered story lines" and cited parallels to the biblical Book of Revelations.

Weyn has been a freelance writer since leaving her editorial career in the late 1980s, and she views her job writing books for young readers as "a dream come true for me…. I can't think of a more enjoyable way to spend my time—telling stories full time."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, January 1, 1995, Frances Bradburn, review of My Brother, the Ghost, pp. 822-823.

Kliatt, May, 2005, Sarah Applegate, review of The Bar Code Tattoo, p. 32.

School Library Journal, December, 1994, Elaine E. Knight, review of My Brother, the Ghost, pp. 114-115; February, 2005, Sharon Rawlins, review of The Bar Code Tattoo, p. 142; March, 2005, Amy Patrick, review of South Beach Sizzle, p. 221.

Voice of Youth Advocates, December, 1986, Susan Ackler, review of The Makeover Club, pp. 223-224; June, 1989, Geraldine G. Harris, review of The Makeover Summer, p. 109; April, 2005, Julie Scordato, review of The Bar Code Tattoo, p. 64.

ONLINE

Fantastic Fiction Web site, http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/ (September 17, 2005), "Suzanne Weyn."