Born: August 29, 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland.

As a child she dreamed of  becoming an archeologist, or an ambassador, or and author. At an early age she fell in love with Dr. Seuss's use of language. She was encouraged by her 5th grade teacher by the name of  Mrs. Dyroff to pursue her writing ability.  She frequently visited the Enoch Pratt Free Library, her local library, where the local librarian also encouraged her to read and write.

At an early age, her favorite book to read was "Hiroshima," written by John Hersey.  She believes that this book influenced the books she has written.

She entered college in 1969, attended Townsen State College in Maryland as a theater major, transferred after two semesters to attend the University of Maryland, where she earned a Bachelors Degree in English and a double minor in Psychology and Anthropology.  She lives in Vermont, with her husband and her two teenage daughters. 

In 1969 Karen attended Towson State College as a theater major, but transferred after two semester to the University Of Maryland, where she eventually earned a B.A in English with double minors in Psycholgy and Anthropology.  While at the University of Maryland she met her future husband Randy.  She graduated in 1975.  In 1976 her husband, two cats, and her took six months and tent-camped across the country, visisting most of America's national parks.  That is how her and her husband ended up living in Brattleboro, Vermont.  "As soon as we crossed the Connecticut River from New Hampshire into Vermont I knew that I'd come home."  She found work, joined a writing group, gave birth to two children, and learned how to survive endless weeks of sub-zero temperatures. She know lives in Williamsville, Vermont with her husband Randy and two daughter Kate and Rachel 

She has worked numerouse jobs including: waitress, nanny, librarian, personal officer, agricultural laboror, advertising secretary, typesetter, proofreader, mental-health-care provider, substitute teacher, and a book reviewer.  In and around all these jobs she wrote poems, stories, and books.  She has served on the board of school districts and a public library, been effiliated with the Hospice movement, and led the Southern Vermont chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illistrators.

One night while she was reading a bed time story to her children she discovered the key to finally unlock her secret inner world and that is when she started to write seriously and get some of her books published.

When she was in fifth grade her teacher told her that she was a good writer and would go places.  It took her more than thirty years, but she finally made that dream come true.  In 1991 she published her first book Wish on a unicorn since then her career has been distiguished by the extrodinary number of national honors she has recieved.

She haunts bookstores, conducts interviews, comb the shelves of libraries, reads articles, studies, probes, and sifts.  She listens to public radio and public televison.  "Every day I absorb mountains of details, most of which are quite intersting.  But every now na dthen something totally captivates me, breaks my heart, takes my breath away.  Those are the details that become my books."

Selected pieces of works by Karen Hesse: Wish on a Unicorn, 1991; Letters from Rifka, 1992; Lavender, 1993; Poppy's Chair, 1993; Lester's Dog, 1993; Phoenix Rising,1994; Sable,1994; A Time Of Angels,1995; The Music Of Dolphins, 1996; Out Of the Dust, 1997; Just Juice, 1998; Come On, Rain!, illistrated by Jon J. Muth, 1999.

 List of accomplishments: Wish On A Unicorn was selected as a Children's Book of Distinction by the Hungry Mind Review. Letters from Rafka won a Christopher Medal and was named American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, and ALA Notable Children's Book, and a School Library Journal Best Book of the year.  Sable was also an School Library Journal Best Book.  Phoenis Rising was cited as a ALA best book for Young Adults, ans ALA Notable Children's book, and an SLJ Best Book.  The Music of Dolphins was a ALA Best Book for Young Adults and made the annual "best" lists of School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, in addition to being named a 1996 Golden Kite Honor Book by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.Out Of Dust, and historical novel written in free verse, won the 1998 Newberry Medal and the Scott O'Dell Award, was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and an ALA Notable Children's Book, and won year-end honors from Publishers Weekly, School Lirary Journal, and Booklist.

Work Cited

"Hesse, Karen."Britannica Student Encyclopedia".2005.Encyclopedia Britannica Premium Service. 15 Mar. 2005.http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article?tocld=9343966.

"Karen Hesse's Biography." Scholastic". 2005. Scholastic Inc. 18 Mar. 2005. http://www2.scholastic.com/teachers/authorsandbooks/authorstudies/authorhome.jhtml?authorid=45&collateralid=5183&displayname=biography.