Helen Hemphill
American writer (born 1955)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Helen Hemphill (born 1955)[1] is an American children's and young adult novelist. Her three novels, published from 2006 to 2008, are all set in the southern USA, but feature diverse characters: a preacher's son, a tomboy 11-year-old girl and a 19th-century cowboy.[2]
Helen Hemphill | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 1, 1955 |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Education | Belmont University (MA) |
| Genre | Children's literature & young adult literature |
| Notable works |
|
Biography
Hemphill earned her MA in English Literature from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee,[3] and worked for 20 years in advertising and public relations prior to her second career in teaching.[4]
Hemphill has written three novels, all published by Front Street, an imprint of Boyds Mills Press. Her first book was Long Gone Daddy, published in 2006.[4] Set in 1970s Texas, the novel is about a teenage boy and his relationship with his preacher father following the death of his grandfather. Publishers Weekly describes it as an "impressive debut", with "laugh-out-loud scenes, a marvelous narrative voice, period details and appealingly quirky characterization".[5] Kirkus Reviews comments that the "wryly funny" work "relies a bit too much on hillbilly diction and unusual events", but concludes that Hemphill "is still a writer with promise".[6] A review in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy said the book "deals with some tough issues, but does so in a way that will connect with students 13 and up".[7] In 2007 it was featured in Books for the Teen Age published by the New York Public Library.[8]
Her next book, Runaround, was published in 2007. About a tomboy 11-year-old girl seeking romance in 1960s Kentucky, the novel led Kirkus Reviews to describe Hemphill as "a strong new voice in children's literature".[9] Publishers Weekly calls it an "often humorous coming-of-age novel" and praises the characterisation of the main character.[10]
Her third book, The Adventurous Deeds of Deadwood Jones, was published in 2008.[4] This historical fiction novel was inspired by the "dime novels" about "Deadwood Dick" written by Edward L. Wheeler and the autobiography of African American cowboy Nat Love.[2][11] The main character is a young 19th-century cowboy loosely based on Love.[2] Kirkus Reviews comments that the book's "adventures are nonstop", including "the excitement and danger of buffalo stampedes and river crossings".[12]
