Name: Lea Wait
Biographical Information: Maine author Lea Wait lives in a house built in 1774. She writes acclaimed historical novels set in 19th century New England that have been recommended by Bank Street College, Smithsonian Magazine, and the International Readers’ Association for ages 8-14. She also writes the Agatha-finalist Shadows Antique Mystery series for older readers. The latest of these, Shadows of a Down East Summer, is the story of what happened in the summer of 1890 when two young women posed for artist Winslow Homer on the coast of Maine. The secrets they kept, and the lies they told, changed their families forever. Lea adopted four elementary-school-age children from Asia as a single parent while she was working as a manager for AT&T.
Featured Book: Finest Kind. What can you do when you’re 12 years old and your world is falling apart? It’s 1838. Jake’s father has lost his job and his savings. Hearing of work in Maine, the family heads north, taking with them a deep family secret. Their new home is a dirty, isolated farmhouse. Jake’s father gets a job away from home, and Jake is left to find food, ask for help from an old woman who may be a witch, find work at a jail, and protect his family secret, while somehow also making new friends. Others in town have secrets too, he finds. Is he strong enough to hold his family together to face the future — and their past? Kirkus Reviews called FINEST KIND “A treasure, waiting to be found.”
Other Titles:
For ages 8-12:
Stopping to Home
Seaward Born
Wintering Well
Finest Kind
For adults or teens:
Shadows at the Fair (set at Dutchess County Fairgrounds)
Shadows on the Coast of Maine
Shadows on the Ivy
Shadows at the Spring Show
Shadows of a Down East Summer (new – 2011)
Age Groups of Materials published: Elementary, Teen, Adult
Honors:
Chatham University Cornerstone Award for Achievement in Literature
Student Choice Award Recommendation
Agatha Finalist for Best First Mystery (Shadows at the Fair)