E.L. Konigsburg

Born in New York and raised in Ohio, Elaine Lobl Konigsburg embarked on a career in organic chemistry. Even blowing up the laboratory sink at the University of Pittsburgh-twice-didn't deter her. She went on to teach science at a private girls school.

Writing came slightly later-after the third of her three children started school. Her career took off fast and she remains the only writer to ever win a Newbery Medal and a runner-up in the same year-1968. Her next Newberry would be 30 years later, though she continued to publish books featuring such people as Leonardo da Vinci and Eleanor of Aquitaine. She says that she strives to write books which include unusual people in unusual places.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

-- B. Redman