Willo Davis Roberts (May 29, 1928 – November 19, 2004)[1] was an American writer, known primarily for children's mystery and suspense novels.
Biography
Willo Louise Davis was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1949, she married David W. Roberts. She was originally trained as a paramedic and began writing in her spare time.[2] Her first book, "Murder At Grand Bay," (published in 1955) was written for an adult market.[3] She won Edgar Allan Poe Awards ("Edgars") in 1989, 1995, and 1997 for best juvenile and best young adult mysteries.[4][5][6] Her books included The View from the Cherry Tree, Twisted Summer, Sugar Isn't Everything, Don't Hurt Laurie, Megan's Island, Baby-Sitting Is a Dangerous Job, Hostage, The Girl with the Silver Eyes, The One Left Behind, Scared Stiff, Caught!, and Undercurrents.
Roberts died of congestive heart failure at the age of 76 in Granite Falls, Washington. According to publisher Simon & Schuster, "The One Left Behind would have been her hundredth book for children."
References
- ^ Obituary in Brief Biographies
- ^ "Willo Davis Roberts Papers". de Grummond Children's Literature Collection. University of Southern Mississippi. January 1999. Retrieved 2013-06-27. With biographical sketch.
- ^ "Author Willo Davis Roberts dead at 76". The Spokesman-Review. January 11, 2005. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ "Edgar Awards for Mysteries". The New York Times. May 16, 1989. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ "Mystery Writers Name Spillane a Grand Master". The New York Times. April 28, 1995. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
- ^ "Twisted Summer by Willo Davis Roberts". Barnes & Noble (product page). Retrieved 2012-02-19.
External links
- Willo Davis Roberts at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- Willo Davis Roberts at Fantastic Fiction
- Willo Davis Roberts at publisher Simon & Schuster
- On writing mysteries for young people(CBCmagazine, Children's Book Council)