Joan Blos

Joan Winsor Blos (1928 – 2017) was an American writer, teacher and advocate for children's literacy. For her 1979 historical novel, A Gathering of Days, Blos won the U.S. National Book Award in category Children's Books and the Newbery Medal.

Early life and education Winsor was born in New York City on December 9, 1928, the only child of Max and Charlotte Winsor. Her father was a psychiatrist, and her mother was a teacher. She attended City and Country School in New York City. She then attended Yale University, pursuing a doctorate in child psychology, though she left the program after three years. Blos later returned to City College to study children's literature, earning an MA in 1956. and the Newbery Medal.

Works

In the City, Macmillan (New York, NY), 1964. People Read (with Betty Miles), Macmillan (New York, NY), 1964. Joe Finds a Way (with Betty Miles), L.W. Singer (Syracuse, NY), 1967. "It's Spring" She Said, Knopf (New York, NY), 1968. Just Think! (with Betty Miles), Knopf (New York, NY), 1971. A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-32, Scribner (New York, NY), 1979. Martin's Hats, illustrated by Marc Simont, Morrow (New York, NY), 1984. Brothers of the Heart: A Story of the Old Northwest, 1837-1838, Scribner (New York, NY), 1985. Old Henry, Morrow (New York, NY), 1987. The Grandpa Days, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 1989. One Very Best Valentine's Day, illustrated by Emanuel Schongut, Little Simon (New York, NY), 1989. Lottie's Circus, illustrated by Irene Trivas, Morrow (New York, NY), 1989. The Heroine of the Titanic: A Tale Both True and Otherwise of the Life of Molly Brown, illustrated by Tennessee Dixon, Morrow (New York, NY), 1991. A Seed, a Flower, a Minute, an Hour, illustrated by Hans Poppel, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1992. Brooklyn Doesn't Rhyme, Scribner (New York, NY), 1994. The Hungry Little Boy, illustrated by Dena Schutzer, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1995. Nellie Bly's Monkey: His Remarkable Story in His Own Words, illustrated by Catherine Stock, Morrow (New York, NY), 1996. Bedtime!, illustrated by Stephen Lambert, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1998. Hello, Shoes!, illustrated by Ann Boyajian, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1999. Letters from the Corrugated Castle: A Novel of Gold Rush California, 1850-1852, Atheneum Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2007.