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Liza Ketchum is the author of fourteen books for young readers, including the recent historical novel, Where the Great Hawk Flies (Clarion). This novel, told in two voices, is based on a true story about her ancestors, a Pequot Indian midwife and an English farmer who moved to central Vermont during the 18th century. Other titles about the American pioneer experience are the popular serialized adventure novel, Orphan Journey Home, and the non-fiction titles Into a New Country: Eight Remarkable Women of the West (an ALA “Best Book” for 2001), and The Gold Rush, a companion to the PBS series “The West.” Blue Coyote, the final title in her quartet of young adult novels, was nominated for a Lambda Literary award. Other books include a ghost story, two middle grade novels, biographies of women scientists, and the picture book, Good-bye, Sammy. Her books have appeared on the ALA’s “Best Book lists,” numerous state award lists, Bank Street College’s “Best Book List,” and on the NY Public Library’s “List for the Teenage.” Liza has been making up stories since she was a little girl. She wrote her first books under the covers at night, by flashlight, when she was supposed to be asleep. When she was young, she also wanted to be an actress, and her experience with theater taught her a lot about creating characters and the importance of a story’s emotional content. She has been a teacher for most of her adult life; she founded and directed a preschool and has taught writing to students of all ages. She is currently on the faculty of the MFA Program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Hamline University. Her passions—besides reading and writing—include gardening, canoeing, hiking, music, art, theater, traveling, and exploring nature. The mother of two grown sons, Liza and her husband divide their time between the Boston area and a cabin high in Vermont’s Green Mountains. |
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Where the Great Hawk Flies On Daniel Tucker’s thirteenth birthday, a hawk flies over his family’s farm. Does the hawk announce a visitor, or warn of imminent danger? Daniel’s mother and sister listen for the hawk’s message, but something urgent stirs inside Daniel. He is struggling to find his own path between the heritage of his Pequot mother and the customs of his English father. Awards |
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Orphan Journey Home First published in serial form in 120 newspapers nationwide. The year is 1828. Jesse Damron and her family are leaving their farm in southern Illinois, headed for their grandmother's home in eastern Kentucky. The roads are rough, the wilderness is full of wild animals, and a few days into their journey, Mama and Papa both die of a disease called "milk sickness." Now Jesse, her older brother, Moses, and the two younger children must make the long wagon journey on their own. They face a dangerous world where orphan children can be "bound out" (trapped and kept as indentured servants until they are grown.) Carrying a letter of protection from their father, the children brave the wilderness. Whom can they trust? How will they feed themselves? Will they ever find their way to the Little Sandy River? And if they do—will Grandma still be there? Awards |
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Into a New Country: Women played an essential role in the dramatic changes that swept the West during the 19th century. This book profiles the lives of eight pioneer women of remarkable achievement. Born into different cultures and backgrounds, each challenged the rules and broke the barriers set down for women of her time. Their extraordinary lives offer inspiring examples of courage and determination for today's young readers. Illustrated with period photographs, prints, and drawings. Awards |
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Blue Coyote Sequel to the award-winning Twelve Days in August, Blue Coyote follows Alex Beekman—a star soccer player, surfer, and budding graphic artist—to Los Angeles, where he searches for his lost friend Tito. Alex gathers clues from surfers, lifeguards, and a tattoo shop, then gets caught in a raging brush fire as he seeks to uncover the meaning behind Tito's disappearance and faces the truth he has hidden from himself. An adventure that addresses issues of friendship, family, and sexual identity. Awards |
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Twelve Days in August Sixteen-year-old Todd O'Connor feels life is going his way, until soccer star Alex Beekman and his beautiful twin sister, Rita, move to town. Alex threatens Todd's position on the soccer team, as well as that of Randy Tovitch, the star striker. Randy starts a name-calling campaign, labeling Alex gay to force him from the team. Todd finds himself stuck in an agonizing dilemma. Should he stick up for Alex, or cave in to peer pressure? His decision affects his own life as well as the future of the team. Awards |
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Fire in the Heart Sequel to West Against the Wind When a mysterious letter about her mother's death appears in Molly O'Connor's mailbox, she begins a search that turns her family upside down. Fighting her father's disapproval, Molly enlists the help of her stepmother and an older cousin known as "Crazy Sadie." As Molly gathers clues surrounding her mother's long-ago disappearance, she uncovers a family secret that explains her father's silence. Determined to know the truth, Molly's search leads her to California-and back in time to a gold rush ancestor. Awards |
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The Gold Rush A juvenile companion to the Ken Burns/Geoffrey Ward PBS series on The American West. On January 24,1848, a gold nugget was found at Sutter’s Mill in California. This tiny chunk of gold changed American history forever—and guess who found it? The Gold Rush answers that question—and others. In this book, you will meet some of the fascinating characters infected with “gold fever,” as well as the state’s Native Americans and Californios whose lives were turned upside down by the invasion. Illustrated with more than a hundred period photographs, prints, maps, and drawings. Awards |
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Allergic to My Family A humorous novel for middle grade readers. Rosie Maxwell is allergic to her crazy California family. Silas can't talk, yet somehow his twin sister, Katie, always knows what he's thinking. Dan keeps his nose buried in a book, Shirley lives on the phone, and baby Clara cries all the time. When Rosie tries to fix things, life gets even more complicated. But then a brush fire threatens the Maxwell's home, and Rosie's determination and gymnastics save the day. Awards |
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The Ghost of Lost Island "Beware the dairymaid," Gabriel's uncle warns, as Gabe and his bossy older sister, Ginny, set off for their grandfather's island in Maine. Then Gabe encounters a mysterious older woman who may be the island's famous ghost—or is she? Gabe must overcome his fear and forge a bond with his prickly sister in order to learn the truth. Awards |
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Dancing on the Table When Jenny discovers her beloved Nana is going to marry the "Gray Man," she decides to wish on her lucky rabbit's foot in order to ruin the wedding. A hurricane nearly spoils the ceremony and makes it seem as if her wishes are coming true—or are they? An unexpected accident allows Jenny to discover there's room in Nana's heart for Jenny and the Gray Man, too. Awards |
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Good-bye, Sammy A child misses his lost toy rabbit even though his mother buys him a new rabbit. Awards |
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West Against the Wind Fourteen-year-old Abigail Parker, traveling west in 1850, has a touch of "gold fever." A spirited rebel, Abby dreams of buying her own land and hopes to find her father, missing in California. Caught up in the danger and adventure of the journey, Abby befriends Matthew Reed, a mysterious young man with a secret. As the wagon train flounders in the snow, Abby and Matthew struggle over the Sierra Nevada mountains in a final attempt save their loved ones. Awards |
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