Meindert DeJong

Meindert De Jong , also spelled de Jong, DeJong, or Dejong (March 4, 1906 – July 16, 1991), was a Dutch-born American Newbery Medal–winning writer of children's books. During the height of his popularity, he frequently collaborated with Maurice Sendak, who illustrated seven of De Jong's books.

Life De Jong was born in Wierum, Friesland, Netherlands, and his family emigrated to the United States in 1914 to prevent De Jong's oldest brother from being drafted into World War I. The family settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan when he was 8 years old.

After graduating, De Jong held numerous jobs, including mason, gravedigger, and professor at Grundy College in Iowa; dissatisfied with teaching, in 1930, he moved back to Michigan and became a farmer. De Jong died of emphysema in Allegan on July 16, 1991.

The House of Sixty Fathers also won the Josette Frank Award in 1956, The Wheel on the School won the Germany Youth Literature Award in 1957 and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1963, and Journey from Peppermint Street won the inaugural National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 1969.

In 1962, De Jong won the Hans Christian Andersen Award for his lasting contribution to literature for young people. He was the first American recipient of the honor, the highest international recognition for a creator of children's books.