Patricia Beatty
1922-1991
Patricia Beatty has 50 published volumes
in her name and an additional 10 volumes with John Louis Beatty as co-author.
She
began writing in 1953 and made history come to life in her novels. Not only did she research in libraries about America's
beginnings, but she also used her background knowledge to create her works. As a young girl, Patricia lived near Native
American tribes of the Pacific Northwest, where she became an adopted daughter of the Quillayute people. Her happiest
memories came from living on the Indian reservation, so one day Patricia decided to write about them. Eventually she
published her first book, The Indian Canoemaker, which described the life of Native Americans before the Christian
missionaries came. Patricia once stated, "What a young person reads becomes part of his or her mental luggage forever! This
is the learning time, short but vital to the future adult. That mental luggage deserves to be filled with the best stuff only, not pap.
It may have a long, long way to go." Because of her passion for reading, the John and Patricia Beatty Award is given each
year to honor the book that best promotes an awareness of California and its people, thus assuring that Patricia Beatty's legacy
of promoting historical and cultural understanding will continue.
began writing in 1953 and made history come to life in her novels. Not only did she research in libraries about America's
beginnings, but she also used her background knowledge to create her works. As a young girl, Patricia lived near Native
American tribes of the Pacific Northwest, where she became an adopted daughter of the Quillayute people. Her happiest
memories came from living on the Indian reservation, so one day Patricia decided to write about them. Eventually she
published her first book, The Indian Canoemaker, which described the life of Native Americans before the Christian
missionaries came. Patricia once stated, "What a young person reads becomes part of his or her mental luggage forever! This
is the learning time, short but vital to the future adult. That mental luggage deserves to be filled with the best stuff only, not pap.
It may have a long, long way to go." Because of her passion for reading, the John and Patricia Beatty Award is given each
year to honor the book that best promotes an awareness of California and its people, thus assuring that Patricia Beatty's legacy
of promoting historical and cultural understanding will continue.
Additional
Information on Patricia Beatty
Step
Into the Past with Patricia Beaty
Some Books Patricia Beatty Has Written
thinking she'll make a living teaching school. But when they get there, they discover there's no children,
there's no place to live but in a tent, and there's nothing to eat but beans.
Lupita Manana
Thirteen-year-old Lupita Torres and her older brother Salvador must enter the U.S.
and find jobs to support their widowed mother.
Some Books Patricia Beatty Has Written
Charley Skedaddle
In this powerful story, based on
real-life Civil War records and memoirs, young Yankee deserter
Charley Quinn learns that his flight from his first battle doesn't brand him a life-long coward.
Turn Homeward, Hannalee
Twelve-year-old Hannalee Reed, forced to relocate in Indiana along with other Georgia millworkers
during the Civil War, leaves her mother with a promise to return home as soon as the war ends.
Jayhawker
A Civil War tale that features Elijah Tulley, whose Kansas family are staunch followers of abolitionist
John Brown. After Lije's father is killed during a raid to liberate slaves held in Missouri,
twelve-year-old Lije takes his place, then agrees to take part in a risky spy scheme.
Who Comes With Cannons
When orphaned Truth comes to live with her uncle's family in North Carolina, she soon learns of
their involvement with the Underground Railroad. Admiring their courage, she aspires to help,
and her commitment to the Quaker ideals guides her on several abolitionist missions.
Bonanza Girl
Katherine Scott, a widow, leaves Portland, Oregon,
with her two children for the Idaho gold fieldsCharley Quinn learns that his flight from his first battle doesn't brand him a life-long coward.
Turn Homeward, Hannalee
Twelve-year-old Hannalee Reed, forced to relocate in Indiana along with other Georgia millworkers
during the Civil War, leaves her mother with a promise to return home as soon as the war ends.
Jayhawker
A Civil War tale that features Elijah Tulley, whose Kansas family are staunch followers of abolitionist
John Brown. After Lije's father is killed during a raid to liberate slaves held in Missouri,
twelve-year-old Lije takes his place, then agrees to take part in a risky spy scheme.
Who Comes With Cannons
When orphaned Truth comes to live with her uncle's family in North Carolina, she soon learns of
their involvement with the Underground Railroad. Admiring their courage, she aspires to help,
and her commitment to the Quaker ideals guides her on several abolitionist missions.
Bonanza Girl
thinking she'll make a living teaching school. But when they get there, they discover there's no children,
there's no place to live but in a tent, and there's nothing to eat but beans.
Lupita Manana
Thirteen-year-old Lupita Torres and her older brother Salvador must enter the U.S.
and find jobs to support their widowed mother.
Information on the Civil War!
Civil War Sites...just click!
The Underground Railroad
Civil War Activities
More Civil War Activities
Follow the Drinking Guord Slide Show
The Civil War For Kids
The Battle of the Wilderness
The Underground Railroad Virtual Field Trip
Awesome Civil War Links!
Civil War WebQuests
Civil War Personal Journal
No More Words
Not Just A Man's War: Women in the American Civil War
