Monday, September 10, 2007

Madeline L'Engle Has Died

One of my favorite authors, Madeline L'Engle, passed away last Thursday at the age of 88, in a nursing home. Her most famous book was "A Wrinkle in Time," which won the acclaimed Newbery Medal in 1963, for best American children's book, and has become a children's classic. She often wrote about how many rejections she received for the story, before it was finally published.

Madeline L'Engle wrote more than 60 books, including poetry and memoirs. In some of those slim memoirs, (and I own several of them,) Madeline wrote about writing, family, friends, and her Christian faith.

She will be sadly missed by many, but her books will continue to entertain, inspire and enlighten children and adult readers for many years to come. R. I. P.

8 comments:

Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl said...

Oh, what a sweet tribute to your favorite author, Renie. I'm so sorry for your sadness about this. You're right, her writing will benefit others for years to come!

Smiles,
Michele

Renie Burghardt said...

I was so saddened by her passing, that I had to write a small tribute. She will live on in her books. Thanks for coming by.

Renie

Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl said...

Your welcome, Renie.

Would you like to join Deborah and myself in "Blogger silence" tomorrow, in memory of 9/11?

More info here:

http://deborahwilson.blogspot.com/2007/09/day-of-remembrance.html

And here:

http://writingthecyberhighway.blogspot.com/2007/09/blogger-silence-in-memory.html

Blessings,
Michele

Renie Burghardt said...

Yes, I already know about it and it is an excellent idea.

Deborah Wilson said...

Renie -

I remember Madeline best as a children's author, and sadly, she is one of the authors I have missed reading. I have always meant to read her "Wrinkles in Time" but haven't gotten around to it - perhaps now is a good time to read her. I feel that I've missed something real special. I'm earmarking her, I have a sticky above my computer as a reminder. No matter what the media writes, I think that it is the tributes written by her fans, the people who read her works and loved her, that counts the most. It was sweet of you.

My favorite fantasy series growing up was Lynne Reid Banks, "Indian in the Cupboard".

Gary Paulsen's, "Hatchet" is also a good one, now considered my 'holy grail' of the outdoors. I didn't read that one until I was in my twenties.

I would encourage folks to read these books, they are good reads, especially if you have children - or just want to escape. Laura Ingalls Wilder still captivates young and old alike, as does "The Diary of Anne Frank", and "Night" by Elie Wiesel.

And has anyone read "The Giver" by Lois Lowry? Ooou - A very strange book. I loved it.

Thanks for joining me and Michele in silence for 911 yesterday.

Deborah Wilson said...

*A correction note about "Indian in the Cupboard" series*

After making the above post, I thought, "Wait a minute!" I ran into the living room and pulled my copy of "Indian in the Cupboard". It seems that the book's copyright is 1980. So I was 'still growing up' when I read the book. lol!

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Deborah,

I especially loved Madeline L'Engle's non-fiction books. Maybe because I love to read about writers. I will have to read Gary Paulsen's "Hatchet," as I love to read anything about the outdoors as well. And you have me curious about "The Giver," now! Got to read that one for sure.

When I was a girl, and a newcomer to this country, eons ago, my very first favorite book became, "Girl of the Limberlost." And I could barely read in English back then! Maybe you can guess my age when you read this. Lol.

I have read "The Diary of Anne Frank." I identified with her a great deal. Although I wasn't Jewish, I lived through World War II as a kid in Hungary, and saw much pain, sorrow and destruction. And we had to hide from the communists! I have also, of course, read Elie Wiesel's book. And I loved Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. You know, she died in the Ozarks, and in fact penned the "Little House" books here. We went to visit Rocky Ridge, where she and Almanzo lived, and they are both buried in Mansfield, Missouri. We visited her grave as well.

When we get into a discussion about books, well, I could go on and on, lol.

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh, and Deborah, I believe you're around my daughter's age, and she is my youngest. So if anyone is older than dirt, hehe, it's me!