Illinois State Library

Illinois Center for the Book

Individual Author Record

General Information

Name:  Joanne L Sparks  

Pen Name: None

Genre: Fiction

Audience: Adult;

Born: 1959 in Chicago, Illinois

-- Joanne L Sparks on WorldCat -- http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=joanne+l+sparks

Illinois Connection

Joanne L. Sparks was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, in an Irish-American neighborhood.

Biographical and Professional Information

Joanne's childhood was spent playing street baseball, reading books about Native Americans and wolves, and watching monster movies on "Creature Features." She currently lives in Plainfield, Illinois, with her husband of seventeen years, Brett, the poet and musician, and their two sons, Dylan and Declan. She is working on the final installment to the trilogy, Totems and the Power of Trinity.

Published Works Expand for more information

Titles At Your Library

Totems
ISBN: 1413729754

PublishAmerica. 2004

Totems is a novel set in the tumultuous early seventies which tells the story of two young friends, Kate Borram and John Finn. Kate’s greatest desire is to find a best friend. John Finn is a neglected boy with no reason to have faith in anything. As John’s situation becomes more perilous, he and Kate begin a desperate and dangerous journey to save John’s life. Through their adventure together, they discover that they possess startling powers within themselves. They also come to realize that their real power lies in their unconditional friendship. As Kate and John struggle to overcome many obstacles, they are forced to face their deepest fears and greatest threat. Can these two best friends rise to one more fantastic challenge? Can friendship, love, integrity, and trust help Kate and John win the battle of their lives?
Toltems II
ISBN: 1600021581

Airleaf Publishing. 2007

In this riveting second book of the Totems trilogy, Joanne L. Sparks relates the reunion of best friends, Kate Borram and John Finn. When John finds himself freed from his father's oppression his whole identity emerges. Just as John and his mother settle down in Chicago, his greatest enemy threatens his new found security. The battle against this force leaves his friendship with Kate fractured and divided. Without the power of their greatest asset, can they face the horrors that await them? Will trust endure and conquer even when Kate and John are pitted against each other?

Speaking Engagements

Speaking Engagement Availability (No)