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Alice B. McGinty

Born: 1963 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Pen Name: None

Connection to Illinois: McGinty lives in Champaign.

Biography: Alice B. McGinty is the award-winning author of over forty children's books. She writes and publishes fiction, non-fiction and poetry for children. She is also a Writing Coach, Instructor and Book Reviewer. She teaches writing classes regularly through Urbana Adult Education and takes on clients as a writing coach, critiquing their work and helping them improve their skills. Her book review column appears every third Sunday in the Living Section of the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette. Currently, she is the Co-Regional Advisor of the Illinois Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).


Awards:
  • "The Water Lady: How Darlene Arviso Helps a Thirsty Navajo Nation"
  • -- Illinois Reads Book Selection, Illinois Reading Council, 2022
  • -- Junior Library Guild Selection
  • -- Best Book of 2021 Selection, School Library Journal
  • -- Starred Review, School Library Journal
  • -- Starred Review, Kirkus
  • "A Story for Small Bear"
  • -- Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2020
  • -- Best Book of the Month, Ages 3-5, Amazon
  • -- Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
  • -- Starred Review, Kirkus
  • "The Girl Who Named Pluto"
  • -- Junior Library Guild Selection
  • -- Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, 2020
  • -- Starred Review, Kirkus, 2019
  • "Pancakes to Parathas"
  • -- Northern Lights Book Award, Food Category, Northern Dawn Awards, 2019
  • "Gandhi: A March to the Sea"
  • -- Honor Book, South Asia Book Award For Children’s and Young Adult Literature, 2014
  • -- Illinois Reads Book Selection, Illinois Reading Council, 2017
  • "Rabbi Benjamin’s Buttons"
  • -- 2015 Sydney Taylor Notable Book
  • -- P.J. Library Selection
  • "Darwin"
  • -- Illinois Reads Book Selection, Illinois Reading Council, 2014
  • -- Orbis Pictus Honor, 2010
  • -- Booklist Best Biographies, 2010
  • "Thank You, World"
  • -- Dolly Parton Imagination Library Selection

Primary Literary Genre(s): C:CHILDREN; Fiction; History; Non-Fiction; Poetry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliceBMcGinty/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcgintyalice/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AliceBMcGinty
Website: http://www.alicebmcginty.com
Website: https://wordsonfirecamp.wordpress.com/


Selected Titles

A story for Small Bear /
ISBN: 9781984852274 OCLC: 1135934563

Small Bear's mother promises stories before their winter slumber if Small Bear will help prepare with no dilly dallying, but the playful cub finds it hard to stick to her tasks.

Bathe the cat /
ISBN: 145214270X OCLC: 1240263642

Dad has posted a list of chores for the family to do before grandma comes, including bathing the cat; but the cat does not want a bath, so she mixes up the instructions, and soon the family is mowing the floor, vacuuming the lawn, mopping the baby--and the house is in chaos.

Carnivores in the food chain /
ISBN: 0823957543 OCLC: 45629816

PowerKids Press, New York : 2002.

Briefly explains the importance of carnivores in the food chain.

Cynthia Rylant /
ISBN: 082394526X OCLC: 52620774

Rosen Central, New York : 2004.

Discusses the life and work of author Cynthia Rylant, including her writing process and methods, inspirations, a critical discussion of her books, biographical timeline, and awards.

Darwin
ISBN: 9780618995318 OCLC: 237402679

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston : 2009.

A picture book biography which reveals the assembling of Darwin's most profound idea: the survival of the fittest.

Decomposers in the food chain /
ISBN: 0823957578 OCLC: 45830051

PowerKids Press, New York : 2002.

Briefly explains how fungi, bacteria, molds and other items contribute to the ecology.

Detector dogs :
ISBN: 0823952177 OCLC: 44961192

PowerKids Press, New York : 1999.

Discusses what a detector dog is, the training it goes through, different kinds of search dogs, and their jobs.

Eliza's kindergarten pet /
ISBN: 076145702X OCLC: 474867851

Marshall Cavendish Childrens, Tarrytown, NY : ©2010.

When the kindergarten classroom gets a pet guinea pig Eliza is afraid, but when the guinea pig gets lost, Eliza helps find her.

Eliza's kindergarten surprise
ISBN: 9780761453512 OCLC: 70775568

Marshall Cavendish, New York : ©2007.

On her first day of school, Eliza fills her pocket with objects--buttons, a pebble, a napkin, and a piece of yarn--that remind her of her mother, whom she misses very much.

Gandhi :
ISBN: 9781477816448 OCLC: 823045899

Recreates Mohandas Gandhi's 24-day March to the Sea, from March 12 to April 5, 1930, which became a pivotal moment in India's quest to become an independent country no longer ruled by Great Britain.

Guide dogs :
ISBN: 0585095922 OCLC: 44965942

PowerKids Press, New York : 1999.

Describes the raising and training of Freedom, a seeing eye dog, beginning with its selection as a candidate to be a guide dog up to its placement with an appropriate master.

Herbivores in the food chain /
ISBN: 0823957535 OCLC: 45830048

PowerKids Press, New York : 2002.

Briefly explains the importance and necessity of herbivores.

Katherine Paterson /
ISBN: 1404203281 OCLC: 55494981

Rosen Pub. Group, New York : 2005.

This book discusses the life and work of Katherine Paterson, including her thoughts on writing, inspirations, and awards.

Meet Daniel Pinkwater /
ISBN: 082396406x OCLC: 48851518

Powerkids Press, New York : 2003.

A short biography of the author of more than seventy books for children, Daniel Pinkwater.

Meet Eve Bunting /
ISBN: 0823964116 OCLC: 51306178

PowerKids Press, New York : 2003.

A short biography of the Irish-born author who has written over 200 books, including "Smoky Night," which won the Caldecott Medal in 1995.

Meet Gail Carson Levine /
ISBN: 0823964094 OCLC: 48958712

PowerKids Press, New York : 2003.

Presents a brief biography of the American author who wrote the 1998 Newbery Honor award-winning book "Ella Enchanted" while commuting from her home in Brewster, New York, to her job in New York City.

Meet Jane Yolen /
ISBN: 0823964078 OCLC: 48837468

PowerKids Press, New York : 2003.

A short biography of Jane Yolen, a prolific and well-known writer of juvenile literature.

Meet Jerry Spinelli /
ISBN: 0823964086 OCLC: 48944111

PowerKids Press, New York : 2003.

Presents a brief biography of the author from Norristown, Pennsylvania, who won the Newbery Medal award in 1991 for "Maniac Magee."

Meet Laurence Yep /
ISBN: 0823964108 OCLC: 48958714

PowerKids Press, New York : 2003.

An easy-to-read biography of the Chinese-American award-winning writer whose books celebrate his ethnic heritage.

Mission San Gabriel Arcángel /
ISBN: 0823958922 OCLC: 52882388

PowerKids Press, New York : 2003.

Discusses the founding, building, operation and closing of the Spanish mission at San Gabriel and its role in California history.

Omnivores in the food chain /
ISBN: 082395756x OCLC: 45805162

PowerKids Press, New York : 2002.

Briefly explains the necessity of omnivores.

Pancakes to parathas :
ISBN: 9781499807127 OCLC: 1032289011

"Breakfast varies from country to country, but it's how all children begin their day. Explore the meals of twelve countries in this playful approach to the world! From Australia to India to the USA, come travel around the world at dawn. Children everywhere are waking up to breakfast. In Japan, students eat soured soybeans called natto. In Brazil, even kids drink coffee--with lots of milk! With rhythm and rhymes and bold, graphic art, Pancakes to Parathas invites young readers to explore the world through the most important meal of the day."--

Police dogs :
ISBN: 0823952185 OCLC: 38304462

PowerKids Press, New York : 1999.

Explores the selection, training, and uses of police dogs in fighting crime.

Producers in the Food Chain.
ISBN: 1282212842 OCLC: 911076489

Rosen Publishing, 2002.

Rabbi Benjamin's buttons /
ISBN: 1580894321 OCLC: 811427042

Charlesbridge, Watertown, MA : ©2014.

Rabbi Benjamin's congregation presents him with a special holiday vest--and cooks him so much food that soon its buttons pop off. Includes glossary, notes on Jewish holidays, and recipes for special foods associated with them.

Scavengers and parasites in the food chain /
ISBN: 0823957551 OCLC: 45743031

PowerKids Press, New York : 2002.

Briefly explains the necessity for scavengers and parasites.

Sharon Creech
ISBN: 1404204687 OCLC: 57392331

Rosen Pub. Group, New York : 2006.

Profiles the life and career of Sharon Creech, winner of several Newbery Medals and the first American to win the Carnegie Medal.

Sheepherding dogs :
ISBN: 0823952193 OCLC: 44961074

PowerKids Press, New York : 1999.

Describes the life of Sparkle, a border collie that works as a sheep dog, examining the training and effort involved for sheep-herding dogs to do their job.

Sled dogs :
ISBN: 0823952169 OCLC: 44965920

PowerKids Press, New York : 1999.

Explores the nature and work of sled dogs, what kinds of breeds make sled dogs, and the history of dogsled racing.

Software designer /
ISBN: 0823931498 OCLC: 42296484

Rosen Pub. Group, New York : 2000.

Explains what software designers do and how to prepare for a career in software design.

Staying healthy :
ISBN: 0531116611 OCLC: 42754537

Franklin Watts, New York : ©1998.

Provides an overview of the teeth, including the different kinds of teeth we have, their composition, and how to take care of them.

Staying healthy :
ISBN: 053111662x OCLC: 42754567

Franklin Watts, New York : ©1998.

Gives children pointers on how to stay safe by thinking safe, including chapters on safety with strangers, friends, while playing, at home and in the nieghborhood.

Staying healthy.
ISBN: 0531116603 OCLC: 43098512

Franklin Watts, New York : ©1998.

Describes the stages of sleep, discusses what happens when we sleep and why we need sleep.

Staying healthy.
ISBN: 0823951375 OCLC: 35762752

PowerKids Press, New York : 1997.

Defines exercise, describes its benefits, and gives a few examples of how to exercise.

Staying healthy.
ISBN: 0531116638 OCLC: 42202144

Franklin Watts, New York : ©1998.

Discusses what germs are and how they spread, as well as the importance of being clean and well-groomed.

Staying healthy.
ISBN: 9780531116586 OCLC: 41375161

Franklin Watts, New York : ©1998.

Discusses the four food groups, the nutrients our body needs, and the importance of healthy eating.

Step by step /
ISBN: 1534479945 OCLC: 1201297542

On the morning he is to start school, a nervous little boy is reassured by his father's advice to handle problems step by step.

Tarantula /
ISBN: 0823955664 OCLC: 45136770

PowerKids Press, New York : 2002.

Describes the characteristics of the tarantula, their habits and habitats, how they protect themselves from their enemies, and how they adapt to people.

Ten little lambs /
ISBN: 0803725965 OCLC: 45166759

Dial Books for Young Readers, New York : 2002.

As they play all through the night, little lambs from ten to one finally fall asleep.

Thank you, world /
ISBN: 0803727054 OCLC: 62152745

Dial Books for Young Readers, New York : 2007.

Eight children from eight different countries express their thanks for many special things including the sun that colors the sky, breezes that lift kites, clouds that paint cotton pictures and send rain, and sparkling stars that "shine like Mommy's eyes."

The black widow spider /
ISBN: 0823955656 OCLC: 45137438

PowerKids Press, New York : 2002.

Describes the characteristics of the black widow spider, where it can be found, how it mates and reproduces, its web and how it protects itself, and its interaction with humans.

The crab spider /
ISBN: 0823955702 OCLC: 45137439

PowerKids Press, New York : 2002.

Describes the charateristics of the crab spider, where it lives, how it mates, what it eats, and how it protects itself.

The girl who named Pluto :
ISBN: 9781524768317 OCLC: 1047530465

"When Venetia Burney's grandfather reads aloud from the newspaper about a new discovery--a "ninth major planet" that has yet to be named--her eleven-year-old mind starts whirring. She is studying the planets in school and loves Roman mythology. "It might be called Pluto," she says, thinking of the dark underworld. Grandfather loves the idea and contacts his friend at London's Royal Astronomical Society, who writes to scientists at the Lowell Observatory in Massachusetts, where Pluto was discovered. After a vote, the scientists agree unanimously: Pluto is the perfect name for the dark, cold planet. Here is a picture book perfect for STEM units and for all children--particularly girls--who have ever dreamed of becoming a scientist."--Amazon.com.

The jumping spider
ISBN: 9781404233751 OCLC: 66525084

PowerKids Press, New York : 2006.

This book introduces jumping spiders, spiders who leave their webs to search for prey, explaining their physical characteristics, their homes, and their behavior.

The Orb weaver /
ISBN: 0823955699 OCLC: 45618189

PowerKids Press, New York : 2002.

Describes the characteristics of the orb weaver, the web it spins and its benefits to the ecosystem.

The sea knows /
ISBN: 9781534438224 OCLC: 1114279203

Dive in and explore the wonders of the ocean and its inhabitants in this rhyming ode to the sea.

The tarantula
ISBN: 9781404255678 OCLC: 179795651

Rosen Pub. Group, New York : 2006.

Describes the characteristics of the tarantula, their habits and habitats, how they protect themselves from their enemies, and how they adapt to people.

The Water Lady :
ISBN: 0525645004 OCLC: 1151513591

Cody is worried when his family on a New Mexico Navajo reservation runs out of water, but Darlene Arviso, called "The Water Lady," is on the way with her tanker truck. Includes glossary of Navajo terms and notes about Arviso and life on a reservation.

The wolf spider /
ISBN: 1404233733 OCLC: 162102192

PowerKids Press, New York : 2006.

Describes the characteristics of the wolf spider, where it can be found, how it protects itself, how it reproduces, and its benefits to humans.

 

 

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