Alexandria LaFaye author children's books educator

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Reissued in 2008

New novel!

Welcome!

"A" is for Alexandria. I write books for young readers and move quite a lot. I have lived in Wisconsin, Virginia, Tennessee, Illinois, New York, California, and now Arkansas. As an avid hat-wearer who moves around a lot, I believe that home is where you hang your hat.

It's another exciting year! I've been traveling and speaking to many great schools and conferences, and I've even found time to write! I am pleased to say that The Year of the Sawdust Man is once again available in paperback, published by Milkweed Editions. They've also released a brand new fantasy novel, Water Steps, which is quickly becoming a favorite with young readers.

I'm so fortunate to combine writing with teaching. At Hollins University, I teach children's literature in their summer MFA program, and at Hamline University, I teach writing for children and young adults in their MFA program.

Author A. LaFaye, "Alexandria" for short

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

As a kid I collected living salamanders and tree toads. My biggest collection was 22 tree toads and 7 salamanders, all living in a window well.

My first book was called Phantom on the Terrace. It was a handwritten novel about a group of girls (me and my school friends) investigating a haunted house Scooby-style.

I love to work in the garden—planting, weeding, keeping my cats from sleeping on the flowers. My favorite flowers are poppies, roses, and hibiscus.

I have four pets: Toby is the orange cat. Thibodeaux is the snowshoe cat, part Burmese, part Siamese. Toby and Thibodeaux are good friends. Nigel has been with me longest. Maida is my new dog.