Patricia Reilly Giff
Patricia Reilly Giff is the two-time Newbery Honor-winning author of Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods. Her memorable array of novels and her background as a reading teacher makes her an ideal fit for speaking to groups of children and educators. Read Full BiographyAbout Patricia Reilly Giff
Patricia Reilly Giff is a two-time Newbery Honor-winning novelist and a household name among educators, children, and parents. The respected author of over 60 books for young people and the recipient of numerous honors and awards including the Newbery Honor Award and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Giff is a much-loved author who continues to provide generations of readers with heartwarming, humorous, and unforgettable novels to enjoy. Giff has been featured in national media outlets such as The New York Times and C-SPAN’s Book TV, and has been interviewed by numerous television, radio, and newspapers across the country. With over 16 million copies of her books sold, and 20 plus years of experience as a reading teacher and consultant, Giff brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the children’s literary world.
Born on April 26, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY Giff earned a B.A. degree from Marymount College, and during the 20 years of her teaching career, she earned an M.A. from St. John’s University, and a Professional Diploma in Reading and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hofstra University. Giff then went on to establish herself as a prominent children’s book author, and remains today a recognizable name in children’s literature. In 1990, she and her family opened up a children’s-only bookstore in Fairfield, CT called The Dinosaur’s Paw, which has became a staple in the community. Giff also teaches a creative writing class out of the store, which has resulted in a number of published novels for first-time authors. Fans can follow Pat on her blog at www.patriciareillygiff.com.
A dynamic, warm, and memorable speaker, Giff has spent years speaking at schools, libraries, bookstores, and conferences across the country, where she shares her personal story of how she became a writer, her writing process, and more. When discussing her work, Giff claims, “I have no special talent, you know. I never took a writing course before I began to write.” She believes that “anyone who has problems, or worries, anyone who laughs and cries, anyone who feels can write. It’s only talking on paper… talking about the things that matter to us.”
Giff resides in Trumbull, CT with her husband, Jim. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
