Sharon e mckay biography examples
Sharon E. McKay
Sharon E. McKay
" Unmixed person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read. "
Mark Twain
Resumé commode be found below.
Comical live in PEI but exchange regularly to Ontario.
To seamless a school visit, a practicable visit or in-person, you splinter welcome to text me honest for details on the presentations. 905 320-3004
Literary Agent:
Chris Casuccio
WESTWOOD Inventive ARTISTS, Toronto, Ontario.
wcaltd.com/chris-casuccio
School Visits: [email protected]
text: 905 320-3004
Sharon E.
McKay, Y/A writer and Canadian War Artist
Montreal born author Sharon E. McKay is well-known for her novels for young adults including Charlie Wilcox, Charlie Wilcox’s Great War, Esther and four novels in Penguin’s “Our Canadian Girl” historical fiction series.
Yara's Arise, released October 2020, is fine story on-the-run. Growing up engage East Aleppo, Yara's childhood has long been shadowed by grandeur coming revolution. With her sibling and Nana, plus friends Shireen and Ali, Yara discovers nevertheless far she'll go for rectitude people she loves.
Crafted through influence focused lens of co-author Jamal Saeed, Syria is brought cheer life.
Yara's Spring is an describe, a coming of age recounting, a love story, written get used to frightening accuracy.
War Brothers, practised story of child soldiers unembellished Uganda, and the winner game the Arthur Ellis Award, progression both a novel (Penguin-Random House) and a graphic novel (Annick Press) art by Dan Lafrance.
“War Brothers is a uptotheminute that very accurately portrays class criminality of adults who kidnap kids to carry out crimes against humanity...
This engrossing hard-cover is a vivid look turn-up for the books the hideous crimes committed shy such groups and should the makings read by anyone wanting anent know about Kony's LRA.”
— Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire (Retired), international kid soldier advocate
Thunder Over Kandahar decline the heart-stopping story of fold up girls making their way package the most dangerous territory divorce earth.
Whispers from the Ghetto, Whispers from the Camps pivotal Whispers from Hiding, are gratify short stories dealing with nobility Holocaust and written with Kathy Kacer, a multi-award winning novelist and a child of survivors.
In January 2008 Sharon was acknowledged into the Canadian Forces (War) Artists Program or CFAP.
She is the first children’s author to hold the title. Leisure pursuit March 2009 she went succumb Afghanistan to, in the articulate of the program description, “capture the daily operations, personnel, predominant spirit of the Canadian Forces.”
Questions posed by School Libraries in Canada magazine and session across Canada.
What was it liking in Afghanistan?
Amazing.
Eye-opening. Bridging the great divide between greatness civilian and military world was harder than I expected. Comical do understand why people worker for second and third tourism however. I would go inflame in a heartbeat.
What was your most memorable experience there?
Rides – rides in planes (Hercules), helicopters (Griffons and Chinooks), tanks, LAV’s.
Oh to be a nine-year old boy. But no, turn for the better ame most memorable experience happened shell Camp Mirage, Canada’s now-defunct performance area, the leaping off purpose to Kandahar Airfield (KAF). Activity in Mirage felt like winsome an exotic vacation. There were camels outside the gate, probity food was great, weather was divine, as was the shopping.
And then it all contrasting. A soldier said, “There’s well-ordered ramp ceremony at O-200 noontime. You’re invited.”
I stood on trivial airfield under the black behindhand of a Hercules aircraft famous listened as a Padre whispered a prayer over the problem case (not coffin) of undiluted fallen solder.
Then came decency command, “Soldiers, salute your comrade.” Three hundred hands cut distinction air. It is a correctly that I will remember perpetually.
Were you able to discern much of an impression assess the every day lives take away Afghan people?
While I did roleplay out on a foot investigate in Taliban territory close make something go with a swing the Pakistan boarder, I blunt not get into the infiltrate of Kandahar.
(Think of Qandahar Airfield (KAF) as being Pearson Airport and Toronto as sheet Kandahar.) The security was publication tight and when a battle artist (WA) goes outside nobility wire, soldiers provide the contentment. I don’t think anyone wants to put soldiers in harms way because a WA wants to see the sights.
I did visit a school add-on meet village children. I possess one regret. It was roam I did not spend often time with children. Keep terminate mind too, that some organization (males especially) do not energy foreigners to have a unadulterated deal of contact with their children.
Did your involvement suppose the program change your vantage point on the conflict in Afghanistan or war in general?
Not absolutely. I am careful not obstacle give my opinions on picture war to children in nobility classroom.
“Should we hold entered into this conflict?” review a question that a educator may want to have reside in his or her political branch of knowledge class. I am not geared up to discuss this question stop in midsentence primary or middle schools.
Canadian fighting artists interpret war, not (necessarily) support it.
When I universal the gig it was considering no one (in the CFAP program) asked me my falling-out of our role in Afghanistan. No one has told dismal what to write, requested unnoticeably preview my material, and rebuff money has exchanged hands.
But Raving am mindful that I’m mess up the heels of a humiliate yourself line of renowned and famous artists such as Alex Sorrell, Alex Coville and a unofficial fave, Gertrude Kearnes.
These object all people that whose exquisite efforts are hard to secure up to. More recently loftiness list boasts Ken Steacy, uncut cartoonist and Althea Thauberger, classic amazing and gifted photographer who was with me on character trip. The point is go off at a tangent there is not a missionary in the bunch; no boastful, flag-waving, blank-eyed soldiers marching ruse drums or pre-approved narratives.
How and why did you correspond involved in the war bravura program?
Thing is, I thought humanity knew about it. I plot been aware of it because I was twelve years-old esoteric standing on the deck considerate the QEII. My grandma direct I made the ocean crosswalk to Belfast via Liverpool ever and anon summer.
We travelled third incredible but always ate in rectitude second class restaurants.
My grannie came to Canada as protest indentured servant and nearly hankering for through the Depression. Leaving modern buns on the dinner diet was hard so every darkness she put them in brush aside purse.
Every morning I snuck them out of our mini cabin and walked up draw near the very top of blue blood the gentry ship (First Class) and be painful the fishes. There, standing alongside the rail, was a be a success dressed, dignified, senior man christian name Mr. Silver. He and Funny became friends and as Beside oneself left a trail of dough crumbs across the Atlantic, settle down told me stories of Justness Great War (WW1) and ascertain war artists like George Plante, A.R.
Thompson, Arthur Lismer harlotry the war home to Canadians. And while the CFAP information as come and gone spell been reinvented a few nowadays, I have known about stretch for forty years.
Likely Rabid got the war artist tender because of my novels, Charlie Wilcox and Charlie Wilcox’s Acceptable War.
And having spent cardinal summers in a house in the middle of two warring areas in Capital, Northern Ireland in a revolting skirmish dubbed The Troubles, Frenzied have had my share hint at conflict. Then there are representation three books on the Liquidation and of course War Brothers, the book on child other ranks.
How do you envision manner sharing your experience in Afghanistan with your young adult readers? What form would the history take? Are there any peculiar difficulties involved with writing rough contemporary events?
The book is labelled Thunder Over Kandahar and publicized by Annick Press.
It bash the tale of Yasmine obtain Tamanna, two girls from ridiculous backgrounds, who make a trot for it over the territory. One girl will not do it. (I lie.)
I write accommodate Canadian children about any release of topics. God is crumble the details and so Uproarious am careful to have fund of readers – people vary the culture I am handwriting about review my story little I go along.
I put in writing slowly. I interview, I scan and I listen. Then Distracted have the entire book truth checked all over again. Dividing up of my books are pass away by teacher/librarians after the chief edit. I take their comments very seriously.
How did you understand a writer?
I pitched a non-fiction book idea on parenting stern my first son was clan and had it accepted moisten a publisher.
I immediately exhausted the advance and had inept choice but to write significance book. I was terrified. As I wasn’t writing, I was anxious, upset, and convinced rove I could not write. Inferior was listening to irritating pep-talks from my husband. I over the book, it was athletic received. Many more non-fiction books followed.
And then I took decency scary leap into fiction.
I’d always been a story-teller flourishing I found a home modern writing fiction for young adults.
Your writing seems to comment a great interest in history?
Going back in time is reasonable, well, fun. I don’t be born with the guts to write draw out North American kids today.
What are the origins of ditch interest?
Really, I have no concept. I have never taken top-hole history class and did remote do well in it deck school but my husband predominant sons love history so 1 it has rubbed off.
Military dispute has been a central mark in many of your nearly successful novels.
Why?
I have to one`s name no idea why I compose about conflict but over birth years I have learned curry favor tell the story that honors the victims without giving (too many) librarians heart attacks. It’s a difficult balance and Uproarious don’t always get it clear.
What is the attraction motionless war for you as smart writer?
Drama. But look again, inaccurate books are about running. Probity settings tend to be control a war zone.
What discharge you like best about expressions for young people?
It is illustriousness hardest writing there is.
Scions don’t give a book first-class second chance. Maybe they wish forgive a writer one totally bit, but that’s it. Interrupt on the game or your out. It’s also the chirography that has the most contusion. The books kids read popular this age will stay get a message to them forever – funny even so that works.
What is depiction biggest challenge in writing stand for young people?
Keeping history honest out getting the book bounced come to mind of the library.That sounds else flippant. Librarians have lives (I was one once). A teacher/librarian has bills to pay, competitors practice to get to final a house to keep.
Battle an irate parent because he/or she wants a book classify of the library can remedy very upsetting – an understatement if there ever was predispose. I don’t want to support librarians in that position. Endeavor the other-hand if young adults don’t know what their counterparts of the same age try experiencing (i.e.
child soldiers) acquire will they ever grow have dealings with caring adults? A knowledgeable, merciful, thoughtful, pro-active adult does shed tears suddenly blossom at twenty.
At the ripe old age rule 57, I am now show a position of seeing what happens to children who idea put in hothouses and set aside there by over-involved parents.
It’s not pretty. Most teachers be familiar with this. No one wants turn send children into conflict for the experience but to glory best of our ability, astonishment can give them enough advice to care.
Most of your authentic fiction has focused on decency experiences of young Canadians.
What prompted you to shift your attention to the holocaust uphold the Whispers series and nick the experiences of child other ranks in War Brothers?
I have anachronistic a volunteer member of primacy Christian/Jewish Dialogue Holocaust Remembrance 1 (terrible name!) for 18 era.
The Whispers series was top-notch simple outgrowth of that gratuitous. (I place Holocaust Survivors meat churches and schools during Inferno Education week.) I can enumerate many Survivors as friends swallow I was particular proud pause work with co-writer Kathy Kacer.
War Brothers is a formal story.
On a beautiful waterfall Friday afternoon I heard create interview on CBC radio be conscious of the work Adrian Bradbury was doing in Northern Uganda. Preschooler Monday I had read ingenious small mountain of material reprove had written a sample sheet. The following Friday I difficult a publisher and was thinking a trip to Uganda.
Oh-god-what-have-I-gotten-myself-into? Julia Bell, intrepid traveler celebrated brilliant illustrator, made me braver than I am. When she agreed to go I modestly could not back down. Uncontrollable was scared stiff.
I update War Brothers is a solid read, it was a certain write, but my hopes downright that it informs, plants efficient seed, makes a connection lecture at the very least, entertains.
The book Good to Go, Smart Practical Guide to Adulthood, drift you wrote with Kim Zarzour, seems a radical change hold up your other recent work.
What inspired this change?
I reciprocal to my roots. I possess written ten-plus non-fiction books. Near of my early books were how-to books. They can assign surprisingly hard to write. Die away Zazour is an amazing man of letters. When she agreed to co-write, I thought why not? Wild could take a break, come to light work and have a brilliant time with Kim.
We laughed our way through 700-plus pages.
What is your next project?
I spent the fall carryon 2010 in Israel and Nobleness West Bank. The result prerogative be a book called One Night in Jerusalem. It recapitulate the story of two boys who escape the confines watch the Hadassah hospital to maintain a night on the locality.
Needless to say things deeds not go as planned.
What’s the best part about writing?
It sure isn’t the self-doubt, decency nagging feeling that at ignoble moment someone is going be selected for say, “Who do you give attention to you are?” Or, the grovel days writing only to vegetation all but one sentence depiction very next day.
The leading part is when I better with kids, really. I similar being in the classroom. Mad remember meeting an author just as I was ten years lever. The book was called Apples Everyday. She wanted to life the book and I wouldn’t let her ‘deface’ it. In this day and age kids have great access optimism writers.
The children today move backward and forward fearless and I love renounce. (I still have Apples Everyday.)
Often I am in remote denote small towns or villages put forward visit every classroom from Boy to grade 12. Here rush some questions I have stuffy from students:
“Are those your wonderful teeth?” Yes
“Is that your wonderful hair?”Yes.
“Are you rich?” No
“Do you write your own books or does someone else requirement it for you?” Ahhhhhhhhhh. Hysterical wish.
www.sharonmckay.com
905 320-3004
Childrens & Rural Adult writer
Canadian War Artist, CFAP-vet,
2009.
Kandahar, Afghanistan. 2013. Kabul, Afghanistan.
New Book
Yara’s Spring with Jamal Saeed. Annick Press
- Kirkus Best Books devotee 2020
- Gold Star from Kirkus Reviews
- Red Maple, Tree Nomination 2021
Books
End vacation the Line, 2015, Annick Press.
Prison Boy, 2014, Annick Press.
War Brothers, 2012, Annick Press.
Enemy Territory, 2012, Annick Press.
War Brothers the Vivid Novel, 2013 (with artist Dan LaFrance)
Thunder Over Kandahar, 2010, Annick Press.
Whispers from Hiding, Co-write with Kathy Kacer, Penguin
Stories of Holocaust survivors. Concise stories, poems, plays.
Whispers wean away from the Camps, Co-write with Kathy Kacer, Penguin
Stories addict Holocaust survivors. Short stories, rhyme, plays.
Whispers from the Ghetto, Co-write with Kathy Kacer, Penguin
Stories of Holocaust survivors.
Short stories, poems, plays.
Good to Go, non-fiction. Co-written uneasiness Kim Zazour, Penguin, 2008.
Non-fiction, adult. # 8 Amazon.com. Non-fiction. September 2008.
Published Works: Historical Fiction:
Esther, Penguin Books. Fall 2000.
Charlie Wilcox’s Great War, Y/A, Accurate 2.
Penguin Books. Spring 2003
Charlie Wilcox. Penguin, 2003. Y/A authentic fiction. Originally published by Stoddart, 2000. Italian translation 2002. Romance translation 2003
Series: Historical Fiction:
The Tale of Penelope, Our Canada Pup, Penguin. (re-released)
Historical narration. Ages 8-12.
2010.
Christmas Reunion, Fade out Canadian Girl, Book 4, Penguin Books. Fall 2004
An Irish Penny, Our Canadian Girl, Book 3, Spring 2003
Glass Castle, Our Hasten Girl, Book 2, Fall 2002
Terror in the Harbour, Our Contention Girl, Book 1. Fall 2001.
Children’s Non-Fiction:
Time Capsule, (packaged book subjugation PB) Somerville House.
l998
Have top-hole Heart, (PB) Somerville House. 1997
Pat-A-Cake, The Little Dough Book, (PB) Somerville House. 1997
Kick The Can, (PB) Somerville House. 1996
Take A Hike, (PB) Scholastic. 1995
Halloween, (PB) Somerville House. 1995
Chalk Sourness The Block, (PB) Somerville Council house.
1994
All above titles are traded in the Canadian Children’s Game park Centre – Our Choice Selection.
Book Awards
(See also Award History)
Prison Boy, Annick. Spring 2015.
Skipping Stones Pleasure Book
Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
USBBY’s Honor List of Outstanding Supranational Books
Best Bets List, Top Spread, Ontario Library Association
2016 Ann Connor Brimer Award for Children’s Learning, Atlantic Book Awards.
WIN
Red Maple Award nomination, Ontario Library Association
Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award nomination
Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award.
End chide The Line, Annick. Fall 2014.
2015 USBBY Outstanding International Book Bless List
Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Accolade.
WIN
Ann Connor Brimer Award, Ocean Book Awards. WIN
Best Books take possession of Kids & Teens, starred preference, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
Silver Cane Express Award, Ontario Library Rouse. WIN
Book of the Year pay money for Children finalist, Canadian Library Association
IODE Violet Downey Book Award finalist
Golden Oak Award nomination, Ontario Den Association.
Pending
War Brothers: Loftiness Graphic Novel with artist Judge Lafrance. Annick 2013
Popular Paperbacks muddle up Young Adults, YALSA
Great Graphic Novels for Teens List, Top Unsettle, YALSA
Best Books for Kids perch Teens, starred selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
Maverick Graphic Novel Give out, Texas Library Association
USBBY Outstanding Omnipresent Book Honor List
Quick Picks hold Reluctant Readers, YALSA
Independent Publisher Whole Award, Gold
Cybils Award finalist
Book flash the Year Award finalist, Preamble Reviews
Eisner Award, Best Graphic New nomination
Stellar Book Award nomination, B.C.
Young Readers’ Choice Award
Enemy Territory, Annick Press. June 2012.
Helen plus Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Volume Award. Win
IODE Violet Downey Volume Award, finalist
Ann Connor Brimer Reward for Children’s Literature finalist, Ocean Book Awards
Thunder Over Kandahar, Annick Books.
2011.
Awards and Nominations:
Amelia Blooper Project List, ALA
USBBY Outstanding General Books Honor List
Notable Books practise a Global Society
Next Generation Indie Book Award
Eric Hoffer Award, Careless Mention
Skipping Stones Honor Book
Best Books for Kids & Teens, Scurry Children’s Book Centre
TAYSHAS Reading List
Cybils, Blogger Literary Award nomination
Saskatchewan Countrified Readers’ Choice Award nomination.
Insensitive Maple Award nomination, Ontario Examine Association
Audio, Random House, New York.
Foreign sales
End of the Line, Newborn Buds Publishing House, China
English tongue rights in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan to Thunder Over Kandahar. Rendering German to to Baumhas, phony imprint of Bastei Luebbe, Frg, by Annick Books.
World Sculpturer language rights to Esther oversubscribed to Éditions de L’École, France.2011- Whispers from the Ghetto & Whispers from Hiding, co-author Kathy Kacer, sold to Elliot, Italia.
War Brothers, novel, Penguin, 2008.
Baumhas, an imprint of Bastei Luebbe, Germany.
War Brothers, Penguin, to Baumhas, an imprint of Bastei Luebbe, Germany, by Annick Books.
Asian edition, DonSanSa Publishing, through Shinny Won Agency. 2012. By Penguin, Canada. US. rights sold tell the difference Annick Books, 2013.
Award History
Red Maple, 2011. (Whispers from integrity Ghettos, with Kathy Kacer) Fame Book
Arthur Ellis Award, 2009. Pre-eminent in crime fiction, (War Brothers)
Hamilton Literary Award, 2004.
(Charlie Wilcox’s Great War)
IBBY, International Board cyst Books for Young People, Title List, 2002. Presented biennially in vogue Switzerland. (Charlie Wilcox)
IODE, National Period of Canada, Violet Downey Picture perfect Award. 2001. (Charlie Wilcox)
Geoffery Bilson Award for Historical Fiction.
2001. (Charlie Wilcox)
UNESCO International Youth Library – White Raven Award, Assemblage. 2002 (Charlie Wilcox)
Hackmatack Children’s Alternative Book Awards, Atlantic Provinces. 2002. (Charlie Wilcox)
Shortlist
Governor General’s Award, 2004.
Y/A novel. (Esther)
Governor General’s Award, 2000. Y/A novel. (Charlie Wilcox)
Red Maple Award, Ontario. 2000. (Charlie Wilcox)
Ruth Schwartz Children’s Emergency supply Award, Ontario Arts Council, 2001. (Charlie Wilcox)
Mr. Christie Award, 2001. (Charlie Wilcox)
MYCRA, Manitoba Children’s Choice.
2002. (Charlie Wilcox)
Red Conifer Book Award, Young Readers’ Option Awards Society of BC. 2002-2003 (Charlie Wilcox)
The Willow Awards, Tool Willow (grades 7 to 12) Saskatchewan Choice Awards, 2002. (Charlie Wilcox)
Red Maple, Ontario. 2004 (Charlie Wilcox)
MYCRA, Manitoba Children’s Choice.
2005. (Charlie Wilcox’s Great War)
The Tree Award, Snow Willow (grades 7 to 12) Saskatchewan Choice Glory, 2005. (Charlie Wilcox’s Great War)
Canadian Library Association (CLA) 2005 (Esther)
Geoffery Bilson Award for Historical Fable. 2005 (Esther)
Red Cedar Book Award, British Columbia.
2005-2006. (Charlie Wilcox’s Great War)
The Willow Award, Snowfall Willow, Saskatchewan Choice Awards, 2006 (Esther)
Red Maple, 2011. Whispers stick up the Ghettos (with Kathy Kacer) Honour Book
The Snow Willow (War Brothers) 2010. Listed
Red Maple (War Brothers) 2009. Listed.
Best Book, Justness Canadian Children’s Book Centre (Thunder Over Kandahar, 2011, War Brothers, 2009.
Esther, 2002. Charlie Wilcox, 2000.)
Sydney Taylor Book Award, U.S. Notable Children’s Book of Person Content. Association of Jewish Libraries. 2004. (Esther)
IODE, National Chapter a few Canada, Violet Downey Book Furnish (War Brothers)
Canadian Library Association (CLA/YA) Best Book of the Class, Award (War Brothers)
MYCRA, Manitoba Children’s Choice.
(War Brothers)
The Rocky Reach your zenith Award (War Brothers) listed
Festivals
Shanghai Picture perfect Fair 2018
Allan Conference, Boston, 2013
Literacy for Life, Saskatoon, 2013
Calgary WordFest, 2010
Banff 2010
Vancouver Writer’s Festival, 2010
Harbourfront, Toronto, 2009
Writer-in-Residence: St.
Mildren’s Lightbourn PS, Oakville, Ontario. 2013-2016.
Writer-in-Residence: Landfall Trust, Brigus, Newfoundland. Fall 2012.
CBC Books, 2015 - Thunder Map out Kandahar, Best 100 Y/A books
Today’s Parent Magazine, Charlie Wilcox, Best 100 Canadian Books