Jessica Scott Kerrin

Jessica Scott Kerrin

Jessica Scott Kerrin is a Canadian children's writer who is best known for her fiction books for young readers.

Early life and education

Kerrin was born and raised in Alberta, where she completed a degree in political science and psychology at the University of Calgary. She then studied at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Upon graduation with a fine arts degree in 1988, she later completed a graduate degree in public administration from Dalhousie University.

Career

Kerrin remained in Halifax after graduation, and has written a number of children's books including Martin Bridge, a best-selling eight-book series of short stories; a trilogy called The Lobster Chronicles;[1][2] two mystery novels inspired by the Old Burying Ground called The Spotted Dog Last Seen[3][4][5] and The Missing Dog is Spotted;[6] a travel adventure called "The Things Owen Wrote";[7][8][9][10][11] and a picture book called "The Better Tree Fort."[12][13][14][15][16][17]

Kerrin primarily includes Atlantic east coast characters and settings in her work. Her books have been translated into French, Russian, Swedish, Turkish and Croatian.

Bibliography

  • Clear Skies[18][19][20]
  • The Better Tree Fort
  • The Things Owen Wrote
  • The Missing Dog is Spotted
  • The Spotted Dog Last Seen[21][22]
  • Spit Feathers: The Lobster Chronicles
  • A Narrow Escape: The Lobster Chronicles
  • Lower the Trap: The Lobster Chronicles
  • Martin Bridge: Onwards and Upwards
  • Martin Bridge: The Sky's the Limit
  • Martin Bridge: In High Gear
  • Martin Bridge: Out of Orbit
  • Martin Bridge: Sound the Alarm
  • Martin Bridge: Blazing Ahead[23][24]
  • Martin Bridge: On the Lookout[25]
  • Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff

Reception

  • Lower the Trap: The Lobster Chronicles Kirkus saw "A cast of colorful characters and a satisfying ending will leave readers wondering whose story is next."[26] while Jamais Jochim of Portland Book Review stated that "Although the use of scientific names for a number of species is acceptable given Graeme’s interests in biology, at times it weighs down the text." but concluded that "Judging by the first entry in the series, it looks like The Lobster Chronicle will be a fun trilogy."[27] The Toronto Star found "School social relations and an accessible plot combine with regional issues in this story..."[28]

Recognition

  • Shortlisted for the 2014 Book of the Year for Children Award by the Canadian Library Association
  • Best Books of Exceptional Caliber, Canadian Children's Book Centre[29]
  • Top Books List, New York City Public Library
  • Best Book List, Horn Book Magazine
  • Notable Book List, American Library Association

References

  1. ^ Wortley, Aileen (Summer 2012). "Reins of Responsibility". Canadian Children's Booknews. Summer 2012 (Summer 2012): 26.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ Rodriguez, Sheelah, "Review of Lower the Trap"[permanent dead link‍], Quill & Quire, March 2012
  3. ^ Levangie, Richard. "Jessica Scott Kerrin's The Spotted Dog Last Seen Delves Into Weighty Issues: Guilt, Death, Loss and Anxiety". Atlantic Books Today. Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  4. ^ "The Spotted Dog Last Seen". Quill and Quire.
  5. ^ "Atlantic entries make Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards shortlists" Archived 2015-10-01 at the Wayback Machine. September 4, 2014 Atlantic Books Today.
  6. ^ Jennifer Taplin, "Author tells tale of friendship in The Missing Dog is Spotted", Chronicle Herald, August, 2015.
  7. ^ "The Things Owen Wrote". Kirkus Review. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  8. ^ DeLap, Alpha. "Review of The Things Owen Wrote". School Library Journal. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  9. ^ Doucet, Lisa. "Kerrin's Icelandic Adventure". Atlantic Books Today. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  10. ^ Deziel, Shandra. "The Things Owen Wrote". Quill & Quire. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  11. ^ "Review of The Things Owen Wrote". Canadian Children's Booknews. Spring 2018.
  12. ^ "Review of The Better Tree Fort". Horn Book Magazine. May/June 2018.
  13. ^ "Review of The Better Tree Fort". Booklist: American Library Association. February 2018.
  14. ^ Younger, Lauren. "The Better Tree Fort". School Library Journal.
  15. ^ "Review of The Better Tree Fort". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  16. ^ Ross, Senta (Summer 2018). "Review of The Better Tree Fort". Canadian Children's Booknews. 21 (2).
  17. ^ Doucet, Lisa. "The Essence of Loving Fathers". Atlantic Books Today. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  18. ^ Doucet, Lisa (Winter 2019). "Review of Clear Skies". Canadian Children's Booknews. 42 (4): 29.
  19. ^ "Review of Clear Skies". Kirkus Book Reviews. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  20. ^ Wiersema, Robert. "Clear Skies". Quill & Quire. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  21. ^ "THE SPOTTED DOG LAST SEEN". Kirkus Reviews.
  22. ^ "List of 2015 Nominees". Manitoba Young Readers Choice Awards.
  23. ^ Jessica Scott Kerrin. "MARTIN BRIDGE". Kirkus Reviews.
  24. ^ Book Review Digest. H. W. Wilson Company. 2006.
  25. ^ Bank Street College of Education. Children's Book Committee (14 March 2006). The Best Children's Books of the Year 2006: Books Published in 2005. Childrens Book Comm at Bank Street. ISBN 978-1-932121-14-8.
  26. ^ "Lower The Trap". www.kirkusreviews.com. Kirkus Media LLC. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  27. ^ "Lower the Trap: The Lobster Chronicles 1". www.portlandbookreview.com. portland Book Review. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  28. ^ Baker, Deidre (31 March 2012). "All About Alfie, The Prisoner of Snowflake Falls, Chomp, Gool: Reviews". The Star.com. Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  29. ^ "Featured authors: Jessica Scott Kerrin" Archived 2014-12-15 at archive.today, Halifax Word on the Street Festival program 2013

Further reading

  • Marylynn Miller Oke, Inspiration from the Edges, Canadian Children's Booknews, Summer, 2017, pages 16–19.