Author of more than twenty-five novels, Margo Sorenson was born in Washington, DC, and spent the first seven years of her life in Spain and Italy, living where there were few children her age, so books became her friends. She finished her school years in California, graduating from the University of California at Los Angeles. After teaching high school and middle school and raising a family of two daughters, Sorenson is now a full-time writer, writing primarily for young people upper elementary through junior high age and older. She enjoys meeting with her readers in school and library settings from Minnesota to California and Hawaii. With twenty-four books already published, Sorenson enjoys writing for these age groups since she believes they are ready for new ideas and experiences, and they really enjoy "living" the lives of the characters in books.

Besides winning recognition and awards for her books from various groups, including the American Library Association, Sorenson was invited to donate and archive her working papers with the internationally-known children's literature collection, the Kerlan Collection, at the University of Minnesota. After having lived in Hawaii, California, and Minnesota, Sorenson and her husband now live in La Quinta, California. When she isn't writing, she enjoys playing golf, reading, watching sports, traveling, and hearing from her readers.

Fourteen-year-old Connor's smart mouth gets her in and—luckily—out of trouble on her prep school's debate team and in the classroom. On a field trip to the U.K., when she is suddenly catapulted into the year 1272, she finds her royal new friends' lives are threatened by a conspiracy fueled by greed. When William and Maud learn that their father has been murdered on the Crusade, they beg her to help them find who is plotting against them. William must confront his enemy in battle, but what does Connor discover about herself and her ability to use words well when she tries to save her new friends—and herself?

When 14-year-old soccer star Todd arrives in Hawaii, he hears that radical, militant Hawaiian activists have hidden weapons in a nearby ravine to use for their rebellion against the U.S. government to gain Hawaiian independence. Even though he’s warned that people are raising marijuana or “pakalolo” in the ravine, guarding their crops with rifles, pit bulls, and explosives, Todd plans to scout the ravine and find the weapons, hoping he can finally earn his family’s respect and find some adventure to offset his boring summer. What will Todd discover in the ravine that could force him to rethink everything he’s believed?

Ambrose and the Cathedral Dream
illustrated by Katalin Szegedi
Liturgical Press, 2006
ISBN 978-0-8146-3004-4

Ambrose, a young mouse, must put aside his daydreaming in order to master the art of somersaulting and to help complete the building of the grand cathedral.

Ambrose and the Princess
illustrated by Katalin Szegedi
Liturgical Press, 2005
ages 4 and up, ISBN 978-0-8146-3043-3

For Ambrose and his mouse family, Christmas at the cathedral means pews full of worshipers who may need the help of the mice. This Christmas, Ambrose knows it is his turn to help—but how? The new princess is unhappy and might depart, leaving the church, the convent, and the poor who so badly need her charity and kindness. With encouragement from his mouse family, Ambrose sets out to help the princess. The princess’ world seems enormous to a small mouse, but perhaps it will take someone tiny to notice the one thing that will make the princess happy. Will Ambrose’s bravery and desire to help be large enough to make a difference?

With colorful, detailed illustrations by Katalin Szegedi, this story will invite children into Ambrose’s world, and fascinate them with the medieval church. Children will sympathize with Ambrose’s worries, cheer with his successes, and be inspired by his persistence.

Funny Man Gets Rolling
Perfection Learning, 2003
ages 7 to 14, ISBN 978-0756916398

Derrick must complete a community service project, convince his boss to give him a raise, and maintain his football eligibility—and try to tame his smart mouth at the same time. A sequel to the very popular Funny Man.

Secret Heroes
Perfection Learning, 2003
ages 7 to 11, ISBN 978-0-7891-5992-2

A boy must find something special to write about for his class project. When he finally learns the history behind his grandfather's stories of WWII, what else will he learn about one of his new classmates?

Tori and the Sleigh of Midnight Blue
Margo Sorenson
North Dakota Institute of Regional Studies, NDSU, 2002
ages 8 to 12, ISBN 978-0-911042-61-0, paperback

Eleven-year-old Tori and her family are struggling with the Great Depression in North Dakota, and the death of her beloved Papa has been the severest blow of all. To aspiring writer Tori, everything is changing for the worse—her friends are acting too grown-up, and her little brother Otto invades her privacy. When a Norwegian bachelor-farmer begins courting Mama, Tori writes in her journal that her life will be ruined. What will Tori discover about forgiveness and acceptance as she tries to keep her life from changing?

Soccer Battle
Perfection Learning, 2002, Cover-to-Cover novel
ages 7 to 14, ISBN 978-0756911089

When Jared's starting soccer position is threatened by a new player, will he get his act together in time to save his reputation as a top scorer?

Funny Man
Perfection Learning, 2002
ages 7 to 14, ISBN 978-0-7891-5733-1

Eighth-grader Derrick wants to be a stand-up comedian, but his football coach, his parents, Joe, his boss at Taste of Italy, his English teacher Dowling the Dragon, and his Mr. Perfect older brother Craig don't think he's so funny. When Derrick discovers he needs a B on an English paper to stay eligible for football, how can he tame his smart mouth to stay out of trouble?

Awards & Recognition
A ALA/YALSA Quick Pick Nomination for 2003; Minnesota Book Awards Finalist, 2003

Clubhouse Threat
Perfection Learning, 2000.
ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-5457-9

Joshua reluctantly agrees to become a caddy for the summer at a local country club to make enough money for football camp. Just as he begins to gain confidence in this new and strange environment, money is missing from members' bags after a free kids' golf clinic, and Joshua finds himself under suspicion. How will Joshua solve the mystery and clear his and his new friends' names? 

Awards & Recognition
Recommended by the United States Golf Association; nominated for the USGA 2001 International Book Award

Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez
Perfection Learning, 1998
ages 7 to 14, ISBN -0 7891-2150-6

While studying migrant farm workers of the 1960s, Kenneth and Aleesa travel back in time and meet Cesar Chavez during the farmworkers' strike for fair treatment and better pay. Can they protect Chavez and his dream for his people from sabotage?

Awards & Recognition
ALA/YALSA Quick Pick Nomination 1999. Endorsed by Dr. Julio Ortega, chair Hispanic Studies, Brown University, RI. Recommended by Multicultural Review, December 1998, Editor's Shelf.

Danger Marches to the Palace: Queen Lili'uokalani
Perfection Learning, 1998.
ages 7 to 14 , ISBN 0 7891-2154-9

During a native rights discussion in social studies, Kenneth and Aleesa find themselves back in time in Hawaii and meet Queen Lili'uokalani during the revolution. Can they convince her to fight against the takeover of Hawaii?

Awards & Recognition
Endorsed by the Hawaii State Library. Recommended by Multicultural Review, December 1998, Editor's Shelf, and recommended in Books for Young Readers 1998, College of Education, University of Minnesota

Leap into the Unknown: Albert Einstein
Perfection Learning, 1998
ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0 7891-2148-4

Aleesa and Kenneth travel back to 1939 and meet Albert Einstein, who is about to make a decision that could influence whether or not the Nazis could win World War II. Can they stop the Nazis from getting the atom bomb first?