Margo Sorenson

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.




					Aloha for Carol Ann illustrated by Priscilla Garcia Burris Marimba Books, 2011 ISBN 978-1-60349-027-6 Beautiful palm trees, pretty flowers and a warm breeze are all waiting to welcome 8-year-old Carol Ann to her new school in Hawaii. But Carol Ann doesn’t want a new school. She doesn’t want new friends, or palm trees or a warm breeze. She wants her old friends. She wants her old home. She wants things the way they used to be. How will she remember her new classmates’ names? Who will she play with at recess? How will she ever feel at home in this new place? Then the teacher introduces Carol Ann to the term, “aloha.” She says the little word means “hello,” “welcome” and a lot more. Carol Ann finds out for just how much “aloha” means as she makes a place for herself at her new school.



					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?



					Shatter with Words: Langston Hughes Perfection Learning, 1998 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-215-22 Transported accidentally back in time to a college campus in the South in 1931, Kenneth and Aleesa meet the young Langston Hughes on his poetry-reading tour and confront racism and threats to Hughes first-hand. What do they discover about the real power behind his words? Awards & Recognition Recommended by Multicultural Review, December 1998, Editor's Shelf. Endorsed by the National Urban League



					Death of Lies: Socrates Perfection Learning, 1998 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0 7891-2156-5 Kenneth and Aleesa think that people who lived in Ancient Greece have nothing in common with them, until they travel back in time accidentally, meeting Socrates during the trial for his life. Can they convince him to escape and save his own life?



					Hurricane! Perfection Learning, 1998 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0 78991-1954-4 The hurricane is nature's most powerful force. Find out how, where and when these gigantic storms form and learn about the most destructive hurricanes. Awards & Recognition Adopted by the State of California; recommended in Books for Young Readers, 1998, College of Education, University of Minnesota; recommended as a resource in Weatherwise magazine, May/June 1998 issue



					Tsunami! Perfection Learning, 1997 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0 7891-1953-6 Discover how these huge, unpredictable, killer walls of water form, how they travel, and what happens when they near shore. Awards & Recognition Recommended in Books for Young Readers, 1998, College of Education, University of Minnesota; endorsed by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the International Tsunami Information Center



					Danger Canyon Perfection Learning, 1996 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-0227-7 Two inner-city boys spend the weekend mountain climbing. After straying from the trail, they are trapped in a narrow gorge with two prison escapees and a hungry mountain lion on the loose.



					Don't Bug Me Perfection Learning, 1996 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-0232-3 Zack's dad drives him to his new middle school in the bug truck, and his new classmates tease him about his father's pest-control business. How can he handle the hassles?



					Firewatch Perfection Learning, 1996 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-0231-5 Judd dreams of becoming a firefighter, but his dad wants him to work on the family ranch. When a city kid with a know-it-all attitude and a motorcycle comes to his valley for the summer, a forest fire breaks out. How will Judd prove himself?.



					The Gotcha Plot Perfection Learning, 1996 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-0234-x Two friends discover the perfect revenge against a group of bullies when they find a cleaning solution that makes them invisible.



					The Hidden Dagger Perfection Learning, 1996 ages 7 to 14, ISBN-0-7891-0227-7 A 17th century English boy witnesses a lord's murder and must reveal the true killer before his innocent friend is convicted—or he is killed as the only witness.



					Time Trap Perfection Learning, 1996 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-233-1 Aleesa and Kenneth, two classroom enemies, are paired to work on a school project about the 1960s. As they begin their research, they find themselves transported to March, 1968, in a race to stop an American tragedy, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What can they do to change history? Awards & Recognition Endorsed by the State Council on Black Minnesotans and the National Urban League



					Kimo and the Secret Waves Perfection Learning, 1996 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-0228-5 During his summer in Hawaii, Kimo repeatedly visits a secret and forbidden beach, ignoring several frightening warning signs. Who is threatening him and why? Awards & Recognition Endorsed by the Hawaii State Library



					Nothing is for Free Perfection Learning, 1996 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-0230-7 When Ike's father loses his job during the Great Depression, the family must move to Ike's uncle's farm to live with his hated cousins, where they are definitely unwelcome. How can Ike handle his quick temper and still win out against his cousin? Awards & Recognition Recommended in School Library Journal article, February, 1999, as one of five top picks for reluctant readers



					Soccer Blaster Perfection Learning, 1996 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-0229-3 While playing a soccer video game, Renny finds himself suddenly transported to a World Cup practice field, where someone is trying to sabotage the U.S. team. How can Renny help find who is to blame before disaster strikes the team?



					Who Stole the Bases? Perfection Learning, 1996 ages 7 to 14, ISBN 0-7891-0225-0 When the Little League Dodgers baseball team discovers that their bases are missing, some of the team members suspect their arch-rival team, the Pirates. How can they find the culprits and get revenge?



					Aloha Love Bantam (Sweet Dreams), 1995 (under the pseudonym, Marcie Kremer). Out of print.