Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff

Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff (born 1957) is an American author. She has written both fiction and nonfiction, as well as children's literature and adult books. Her memoir, The Missing Kennedy: Rosemary Kennedy and the Secret Bonds of Four Women is about her experience with President Kennedy's sister and the author's aunt, Sister Paulus, Rosemary's caregiver and friend. The Missing Kennedy appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List for e-book non-fiction for the week of September 27, 2015. She also wrote the instructional book, The ABCs of Writing for Children, which was a Writer's Digest Book Club selection.

Early life and education

Koehler-Pentacoff was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up in nearby Oconomowoc.

She moved to California as a teenager to attend college. She chose a double major in children's theater and liberal studies and graduated from California State University Fresno in 1979.

Career

When Koehler-Pentacoff began writing children's books, she also instructed adult teachers through California State University, East Bay. She taught weekend classes of creative drama and improvisation. Later she taught writing for children and writing comedy through UC Santa Cruz Extension located in Cupertino.

She has worked with the California Writers Club Mt. Diablo Branch's Young Writers Contest since 1995.

Personal life

She married Robert Pentacoff in 1981, taught elementary and middle school and directed children's theater before turning to freelance writing for magazines and newspapers. When her son, Christopher, was young, she wrote stories for him, which led her to writing books for children.

Selected works The Missing Kennedy: Rosemary Kennedy and the Secret Bonds of Four Women (2015) Jackson and Bud's Bumpy Ride: America's First Cross-Country Road Trip (2009) John Muir and Stickeen: An Alaskan Adventure (2003) (about Stickeen) The ABC's of Writing for Children (2002) You're Kidding! Incredible Facts about the presidents (1999) Help! My Life Is Going to the Dogs (1997) Wish Magic (1996) Louise the One and Only (1995) Explorers (1994) Curtain Call (1989)

Anthologies Author to Editor, Compiled by Linda Arms White, 1999 Writers in the Kitchen, Compiled by Tricia Gardella, Boyds Mills Press, 1998 Classroom Celebrations, Compiled by Teaching & Learning Company, 1996