Born:Cleveland, Ohio,
United States Of America
Current Home:
Cincinnati, Ohio,
United States Of America
Sharon Draper
Biography
In 1997, after teaching for more than 25 years, Sharon Draper was named National Teacher of the Year, an honor which students in the Cincinnati Public School system knew she deserved. One of the first teachers to be certified by the new National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 1995, Draper was elected to the Board of Directors of that organization the same year. She is a firm believer in maintaining high standards in the teaching profession, and that doing so is the best way to achieve high standards for students.
A graduate of Pepperdine University, Draper received her Master's of Arts degree from Miami University. She holds a Doctor of Arts degree from Cincinnati State University and the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the College of Mount Saint Joseph, also in Cincinnati. A teacher of writing and composition for many years, Draper began her own professional writing career in 1991, when a student challenged her to enter an Ebony magazine literary competition; she did and won first prize.
Since then, Draper has published a wide variety of books for young readers, including the acclaimed young adult novels Tears of a Tiger, which won the Coretta Scott King Genesis Award, and Forged by Fire, winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. She has also published books of poetry for both children and adults and a book on teaching. Draper travels widely as a public speaker on educational issues, and has appeared as a guest on radio and television programs throughout the country. Draper and her husband, a high school science teacher, have four children. They continue to make their home in Cincinnati.
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Sassy: Little Sister Is Not My Name
The Scholastic Store 
Sassy: Little Sister Is Not My Name
by Sharon Draper
$14.99
Scholastic Summer Challenge Book Pick.
It's not easy being nine, especially when you're Sassy Simone Sanford. Especially when you were named for sticking out your tongue on the day you were born. Especially when everyone in the family calls you Little Sister. And if that's not bad enough, imagine being the youngest in the family. Imagine watching your big brother and sister have all the fun. Imagine being left out of the cool stuff your older sibs get to do -- just because you're younger. Just because you're in the fourth grade. Just because Mom and Dad rule. Well, nothing stops Sassy. All she has to do is reach into her Sassy Sack to find the right lip gloss, hair clip, or rubber band, and life's problems get solved. And thanks to her best friends, Carmelita, Jazzy, and Tandy, the most sour situations can become as sweet as honey!
books;hardcovers | Ages 9-12
Ages 9-12 $14.99
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Sassy: The Birthday Storm
The Scholastic Store 
Sassy: The Birthday Storm
by Sharon DraperThe time is summer vacation. Sassy and her family head to Florida by airplane to visit Grammy. It's Grammy's birthday and a huge celebration is planned at her beach house. Weather reports have indicated that a possible hurricane is swirling in the Atlantic, but it is not supposed to be a threat. The family lands during beautiful, sunny weather and the summer vacation begins with no problem. But the weather soon takes a turn, and the hurricane changes course, heading right toward Grammy's town. Houses are boarded up and local people stock up on food, water, and ice. The day of the party dawns seemingly terrible--and the local sea turtles' lives are threatened. No electricity. No cake. No caterers. No ice cream. No stores are open. But the party goes on without any of that, and Sassy learns that family is more important than decorations, and love is the best gift of all.
$14.99
books;hardcovers | Ages 9-12
Ages 9-12 $14.99
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