Joanne Rocklin

Joanne Rocklin, Ph.D. has written over 20 books for children, encompassing several genres. She has a doctorate in psychology and is a former elementary school teacher, presently writing children’s books full-time. Originally from Montreal, Canada, Joanne lived in Los Angeles for many decades. She now resides in Oakland, California with her husband, Gerry, one cat, and one golden retriever. When not writing she enjoys babysitting regularly for her four grandchildren, singing in a choir, gardening, baking artisan breads, and reading voraciously.

Joanne was a participant as a Writer-in-Residence in the University of Southern California Writing Project, a collaborative university-school program to improve student writing and the teaching of writing in the classroom. For several years she taught a popular class in writing children’s books at UCLA Extension. She gives presentations in schools and libraries and has been a speaker for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the California Reading Association, and other organizations. She has also led writing workshops for young people at the Jewish Community Library, Los Angeles.

Joanne says, "As soon as I learned to hold a pencil I began writing poems, stories, and diaries. I loved reading my own stories and library books to my two younger sisters. I have always lived within walking distance of a library. I love to read and write, but I also love to talk--especially about writing! Examine your world closely. Ideas are all around you, even though they seem to arrive out of nowhere! Everything and everyone is unique enough to write about--because no one else is seeing things through your eyes, or feeling with your heart."




			The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook Amulet Books, 2012 ages 8 and up, ISBN 978-1419701924 In this warmhearted middle-grade novel, Oona and her brother, Fred, love their cat Zook (short for Zucchini), but Zook is sick. As they conspire to break him out of the vet’s office, convinced he can only get better at home with them, Oona tells Fred the story of Zook’s previous lives, ranging in style from fairy tale to grand epic to slice of life. Each of Zook’s lives has echoes in Oona’s own family life, which is going through a transition she’s not yet ready to face. Her father died two years ago, and her mother has started a relationship with a man named Dylan—whom Oona secretly calls “the villain.” The truth about Dylan, and about Zook’s medical condition, drives the drama in this loving family story. An activity kit is available for this title. Awards & Recognition Starred review, Booklist



			One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street Abrams, 2011 ages 8 to 12, ISBN 978-0-8109-9719-6 When a mysterious man arrives one day on Orange Street, the children who live on the block try to find out who he is and why he’s there. Little do they know that his story—and the story of a very old orange tree—connects to each of their personal worries in ways they never could have imagined. From impressing friends to dealing with an expanding family to understanding a younger sibling’s illness, the characters’ storylines come together around that orange tree. In the end the fate of the tree (and the kids who care for it) reminds us of the magic of the everyday and of the rich history all around us. A discussion guide is available for this title. Awards & Recognition California Library Association's Beatty Award; NCIB Book of the Year Award for Middle Readers; Finalist, California Award in Juvenile Fiction; CCBC Choices 2012; VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers; National Parenting Publications gold medal



			This Book Is Haunted illustrated by JoAnn Adinolfi A HarperCollins I Can Read Book, 2002 ISBN 978-0-06-028456-5 A ghostly narrator tells six not-so-scary Halloween tales that beginning readers will enjoy.



			For Your Eyes Only illustrated by Mark Todd Scholastic Paperback, 2001 ages 8 to 12, ISBN 978-0590674485 When Mr. Moffat gets everyone in class to start keeping journals, Lucy pours out her heart to him in entries "For YOUR Eyes Only!" She writes about everything--the two major banes of her existence; her best friend, who maybe isn't such a good friend after all; her dad and his new wife; and a classmate's mean stepfather. She tells Mr. Moffat about how she wants to write poems like the ones he puts on the blackboard every Monday. She even tells Mr. Moffat all about her Secret Love (except the truth about who he really is). And she's not the only one whose secrets come out on the page... A teaching guide is available for this title. Awards & Recognition A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year!; Nominated for PEN Center USA West Literary Award in Children's Literature; Nominated for state awards in Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, New Mexico and Maryland; Included in the "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing" List of the NY Public Library; Included as a Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year; Voted best book for children ages 9-11 by Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Public Library



			Strudel Stories Delacorte, 1999 ages 8 to 12, ISBN 978-0-385-32602-5 This novel follows a Jewish family through seven generations and more than a hundred years as they brave war, dare the difficulties of immigration, and enjoy the simple pleasures of friendship and sports. Sisters Jessica and Lori mourn the loss of their Grandpa Willy, but find strength in their memories as they sprinkle their apple strudel with the most important ingredient of all--stories. As Grandpa Willy used to say, “Without stories the strudel will be a big fat flop.” A teaching guide is available for this title. Awards & Recognition A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; ALA Notable Book



			The Very Best Hanukkah Gift Delacorte Press, 1999 ages 8 to 12, ISBN 978-0-385-32656-8 A boy who is afraid of dogs learns the meaning of courage during the week of Hanukkah. Awards & Recognition Notable Children's Books of Jewish Content: The Best of the Bunch – Jewish Libraries; Named one of the Best Hanukkah Books for Children by The Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee of the Asociation of Jewish Libraries; Starred Review, School Library Journal



			How Much Is That Guinea Pig in the Window? illustrated by Meredith Johnson Scholastic, 1995 ages 5 to 8, ISBN 978-0-590-22716-2 Students earn money to buy a class pet. This book is part of the "Hello, Math" series published by Scholastic, which includes an excellent guide and math activities by the acclaimed mathematics educator, Marilyn Burns. Others of my books in the same series are: One Hungry Cat 1997, ISBN 978-0590939720 Not Enough Room 1998, ISBN 978-0590399623 The Case of the Missing Birthday Party 1997, ISBN 978-0590673594 The Case of the Backyard Treasure 1998, ISBN 978-0590308724 The Case of the Shrunken Allowance 1999, ISBN 978-0590120067 Just Add Fun! 2000, ISBN 978-0590643993 The Incredibly Awesome Box 2000, ISBN 978-0439099554