Featured Author Jerdine Nolen

Credit: Nancy Kavanagh O'Neill

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About the Author

Jerdine Nolen is the beloved author of many award-winning books, including Big Jabe; Thunder Rose, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book; and Hewitt Anderson’s Great Big Life, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, all illustrated by Kadir Nelson. She is also the author of Eliza’s Freedom Road, illustrated by Shadra Strickland, which was an ALA/YALSA Best Fiction Nominee for Young Adults; Raising Dragons, illustrated by Elise Primavera, which received the Christopher Award; and Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm, illustrated by Mark Buehner, which was made into a movie by the same name. Her other books include Calico Girl, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, and Irene’s Wish, illustrated by A.G. Ford, which Kirkus Reviews called “delightful and memorable” in a starred review. Ms. Nolen is an educator and lives in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Spotlight on Hope’s Path to Glory

Hope's Path to Glory

The Story of a Family's Journey on the Overland Trail

By Jerdine Nolen

HC: 9781665924719 ; EB: 9781665924733 ; Grades: 3 - 7

From the author of Eliza’s Freedom Road and Calico Girl (a Kirkus Best Book of the Year) comes a dramatic historical middle grade novel that is “a unique lens through which to examine the 1849 Gold Rush” (School Library Journal) following an enslaved girl taking the chance to find freedom on the Overland Trail to California.

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Headline: Q&A

1. What was the inspiration behind your latest book, Hope’s Path to glory?

Some years ago, as I was compiling research materials for the writing of ELIZA’S FREEDOM ROAD. I came across two different historical articles about two different enslaved men, who while having to accompany the plantation owner to mine for gold during the California Gold Rush, were able to escape. Though one was not successful, he did petition the Court. The others were aided by local people. The stories fascinated me and I could not let go of the idea. The question of freedom — how did one make oneself free — break the ties that bind to live life on your own terms, which is the way of things here in the United States. How people seized opportunities for escape is a wonder to me.

2. A lot of your books like On Her Wings, Freedom Bird, and Calico Girl, are based on history. How much research goes into preparing for your stories?

I have always enjoyed reading informational texts. As a teacher, when preparing a unit of study for my students, I had to stay on top of things. As an author, I have written fantasy fiction as well as historical fiction. Though my many books of fantasy — come out of my imagination, they also have to be rooted in the real world — logical. When writing historical fiction, I’m writing about real events — that actually happened— to real people. Unlike a fairy tale, you can’t make up the details. I go through painstaking efforts to be sure I’m representing history correctly and to the very best of my abilities. I want very much to get it right. Readers and history deserve this. The Author’s Note or Background Notes are useful to connect to the reader.

3. What do you feel is the biggest difference in approaching writing for a picture book and writing for a novel?

Well, when writing a novel you have a lot more room and space and time to develop and tell the story. A picture book is 32-pages or 14 spreads to do the most magical thing — have the reader turn the page.

4. What would you tell young writers of color who are trying to get their own work published?

Always Read. Read Everything. Always Write. Write something Everyday. Always Trust and Be Patient with yourself. Always Follow your writer’s mind and heart. Strive to be happy. Finding joy within yourself and your process.