Zoa Sherburne

Zoa Sherburne (September 30, 1912 – October 10, 1995) was an American author, most known for her young adult fiction.

Early life Sherburne was born in Seattle, Washington and began writing in elementary school. At 10, she started writing poetry. Her novels often dealt with girls in difficult circumstances: coping with a mother's alcoholism (Jennifer), with the remarriage of a parent (Almost April and The Girl in the Mirror), with an unexpected pregnancy (Too Bad About the Haines Girl), with guilt over a hit-and-run (Leslie). In her time slip story Why Have the Birds Stopped Singing? the stigma of epilepsy is added to the usual cultural disorientation, and in her paranormal tale, The Girl Who Knew Tomorrow, the young psychic girl finds fame a mixed blessing. For Jennifer, she received the Children's Book Award for 1959.

Awards 1959, Children's Book Award

Published works Almost April (1956) The High White Wall (1957) Princess in Denim (1958) Jennifer (1959) Stranger in the House (1963) Ballerina on Skates (1964) River at Her Feet (1965) Girl in the Mirror (1966) Too Bad About the Haines Girl (1967) The Girl Who Knew Tomorrow (1970) Leslie (1972) Why Have the Birds Stopped Singing? (1974) Girl in the Shadows (1975)