"ELLEN SCHWARTZgrew up in New Jersey, but moved to British Columbia in the 1970s, where she teaches creative writing at Simon Fraser University and at Douglas College. She is the acclaimed author of twelve books for children, including picture books, juvenile fiction, YA fiction, YA non-fiction and educational books. Her titles includeI'm a Vegetarian,I Love Yoga,Stealing Home,Avalanche DanceandThe Case of the Missing Deed, a finalist for the John Spray Mystery Award.Stealing Home, her first novel about baseball, was chosen as a 2007 ""Top 10 Sports Books for Youth"" byBooklistmagazine as well as being nominated for the Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award and the Chocolate Lily Award. When she is not writing or teaching, Ellen loves to spend time dancing, baking bread and hiking. Visit her website at www.ellenschwartz.net."
PRAISE FOR Heart of a Champion Using straightforward prose, Schwartz develops Kenny into a well-rounded character. His personal growth is believable, and readers will be engaged and empathize with his problems . . . Comparable to several books in the Dear America series, this offers a gentle introduction to the plight of persons of Japanese descent during World War II. --School Library Journal Schwartz shows talent as a writer for bringing in the war theme in a natural way in terms that nine to twelve-year-olds can understand . . . Heart of a Champion could serve as a model for any aspiring writer of juvenile historical fiction. --CM Magazine By showing the World War II Japanese-Canadian experience through the eyes of a young boy, Schwartz personalizes the horrendous price paid by these hard-working and loyal citizens. Even to readers familiar with this dark chapter of our history, this novel provides well-researched, poignant details which will provoke further consideration. --Resource Links