Name: Jan Cheripko
Biographical Information: Jan Cheripko is the author of several books for young adults and children. He currently teaches English at The Family Foundation School, a private residential school for at-risk teens. As he does in his novels, Cheripko focuses his talks to students, teachers, and parents on the choices young people, the need to identify the principles one stands for and to place them ahead of personalities. Kirkus described Cheripko’s most recent novel, sun moon stars rain, as “Short, sweet, stunningly well written.”
Featured Book: Imitate the Tiger. This is a story of a football player struggling with the death of his mother, an alcoholic father, and an obsession with a girl friend, all cast against the demands of an exacting coach, a principled history teacher, and a group of friends who like to party. School Library Journal cited Imitate the Tiger as, “A frank account of a teen fighting for his life.”
Other Titles:
Caesar Rodney’s Ride: The Story of an American Patriot
Get Ready to Play Tee Ball
Voices of the River: Adventures on the Delaware
Brother Bartholomew and the Apple Grove
Age Group of Materials published: Teen; Elementary school
Honors:
Imitate the Tiger: Winner of the Joan Fassler Memorial Book Award from the Association of the Care of Children’s Health; NY Public Library’s Best Book for the Teen Age
Rat: 2003 Carolyn W. Field Notable Award from the Pennsylvania Library Association; 2003 IRA Children’s Choice
sun moon stars rain: 2007 New York Public Library’s Best Book for the Teen Age; audio version by Full Cast Audio received a Starred Review from School Library Journal.