Jerry Spinelli Popular Books

Jerry Spinelli Biography & Facts

Jerry Spinelli (born February 1, 1941) is an American writer of children's novels that feature adolescence and early adulthood. His novels include Maniac Magee, Stargirl, and Wringer. Biography Spinelli was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and currently lives in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. At the age of 16, his love of sports inspired him to compose a poem about a recent football victory, which his father published in the local newspaper without his knowledge. It was at this time he realized that he would not become a major league baseball player, so he decided to become a writer.At Gettysburg College, Spinelli spent his time writing short stories and was the editor of the college literary magazine, The Mercury. After graduation, he became a writer and editor for a department store magazine. The next two decades, he spent his time working "normal jobs" during the day so that he had the energy to write fiction in his free time. He found himself writing during lunch breaks, on weekends, and after dinner.His first few novels were written for adults and were all rejected. His fifth novel was also intended for adults but became his first children's book. This work, Space Station Seventh Grade, was published in 1982.Spinelli graduated from Gettysburg College in 1963 and acquired his MA from Johns Hopkins University in 1964. In 1977, he married Eileen Mesi, another children's writer. Since about 1980, as Eileen Spinelli, she has collaborated with illustrators to create dozens of picture books. They have six children and 21 grandchildren. Works In culture George Plimpton related an anecdote about Spinelli having bought at auction an evening with the Plimptons, in New York City, during which George Plimpton introduced Spinelli to writers and editors dining at Elaine's, and two months after which Spinelli wrote Plimpton to announce the publication of Spinelli's first book (a children's book) by Houghton Mifflin. See also References External links Official website Jerry Spinelli at Library of Congress, with 31 library catalog records Eileen Spinelli at Library of Congress, with 90 library catalog records (every one names an illustrator) The Papers of Jerry Spinelli are held in Gettysburg College's Special Collections & Archives. The collection includes manuscripts 1961–2003 as well as other materials.. Discover the Jerry Spinelli popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Jerry Spinelli books.

Best Seller Jerry Spinelli Books of 2024

  • Love, Stargirl synopsis, comments

    Love, Stargirl

    Jerry Spinelli

    The New York Times bestselling sequel to Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli’s modernday classic Stargirl, now an original film on Disney+!And don't miss the author's highly anticipate...

  • One of the Survivors synopsis, comments

    One of the Survivors

    Susan Shaw

    Fourteenyearold Joey Campbell knows that he is lucky to be one of the survivors of the school fire. But really, how much luck is involved when he is the lone student to stand up du...

  • Knots in My Yo-Yo String synopsis, comments

    Knots in My Yo-Yo String

    Jerry Spinelli

    Newbery medalist Jerry Spinelli has penned his early autobiography with all the warmth, humor, and drama of his bestselling fiction. And don't miss the author's highly anticipated...

  • Thankful synopsis, comments

    Thankful

    Eileen Spinelli

    Celebrate everyday blessings, practice thankfulness, and observe the wonderful acts of service that keep us going each and every day. Eileen Spinelli, bestselling and awardwinning ...

  • Maniac Magee By Jerry Spinelli Reading Activity Guide synopsis, comments

    Maniac Magee By Jerry Spinelli Reading Activity Guide

    Jason Elliott

    This “Maniac Magee" activity guide is set up so it can be used as a unit plan for the teacher, or used by students in literature circles. It is broken up into a 16 day plan, and in...

  • Wringer by Jerry Spinelli Reading Group Activity Guide synopsis, comments

    Wringer by Jerry Spinelli Reading Group Activity Guide

    Jason Elliott

    This “Wringer" activity guide by Jerry Spinelli is set up so it can be used as a unit plan for the teacher, or used by students in literature circles. It is broken up into a 13 day...

  • Blue Skies synopsis, comments

    Blue Skies

    Anne Bustard

    For fans of Kate DiCamillo’s Louisiana’s Way Home, this heartwarming novel tells the story of tenyearold Glory Bea as she prepares for a miracle of her very ownher father’s return ...

  • Eggs synopsis, comments

    Eggs

    Jerry Spinelli

    Nineyearold David has recently lost his mother to a freak accident, his salesman father is constantly on the road, and he is letting his anger out on his grandmother. Sarcastic and...