Name: Coleen Murtagh Paratore
Biographical Information: Coleen Murtagh Paratore is the best-selling author of fifteen books, ranging from picture books to young adult novels. These include The Wedding Planner’s Daughter, her 1/2-million selling debut novel which launched a popular series, is published internationally, and will soon be an original ABC Family Movie. The 6th book in the series, just out this year, is From Willa, With Love. Her book Sunny Holiday was named a New York Public Library “Best Book for Reading and Sharing” and a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year; the sequel, Sweet and Sunny, was named to this year’s ALA Notables List. Her picture book, 26 Big Things Small Hands Do, is used in school character education programs throughout the country. She is a popular school and conference speaker. Her next book, Dreamsleeves (Scholastic Press, Spring 2012) is about a girl who believes if you have a dream you should wear it on your sleeve for the world to see. Visit Coleen online at www.coleenparatore.com.
Featured Book: From Willa, with Love. The sixth in the award-winning Wedding Planner’s Daughter series chronicling the life of Willa Havisham. Willa is a book-loving, candy-loving, hopelessly romantic teenage girl living on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, who continually looks for ways to “make a difference” in the world. The series is being make into an ABC Original Family Movie.
Other Titles:
The Cupid Chronicles
Willa By Heart
Forget Me Not: from the Life of Willa Havisham
A Pearl Among Princes
Catching the Sun
The Funeral Director’s Son
…and more, listed on the author’s website
Age Group of Materials published: Pre-teen
Honors: as indicated above, and more – see author’s website.