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A video interview with

Deborah Hopkinson

Deborah Hopkinson writes history and historical fiction books for young children and teens. As a child, she noticed a decided lack of information about women and girls in her history textbooks, and many of her own books reflect her love of history and her keen interest in presenting children's — particularly girls'— contributions to U.S. history.

In our interview Hopkinson discusses her mission to make history come alive for students, her meticulous attention to historical details, and her love of sharing good books with her own children.

You can watch the interview below, view the interview transcript, read a short biography on Deborah Hopkinson, or see a selected list of her children's books.

Always a Reader: Hopkinson shares her childhood strategy for sneaking in a good read. Family Book Club: Hopkinson believes kids and parents form a natural book club and that parents should read along with their children at any age. Where are the Girls?: A perceived lack of women represented in her history textbooks prompted Hopkinson to feature female characters in her own writing. It's All in the Details: Hopkinson takes pride in the historical accuracy of her work and her attention to detail. We're All Discoverers: Hopkinson reminds us that history is all around us and that we are all discoverers. History's Boys & Girls: Hopkinson's describes her forays into non-fiction, which include "Up Before Daybreak" and "Shutting Out the Sky." Adjust Your Antenna: Hopkinson talks about "tuning in" for good story ideas. Writing About5 Other Cultures: Hopkinson discusses writing about other cultures. Keep Your Day Job: Though a successful author, Hopkinson balances her writing with a day job. An excerpt from from "Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek": Hopkinson reads from "Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek."

Biography

Deborah Hopkinson was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. From an early age she was an avid reader, even hiding her own books inside the school textbooks she was supposed to be reading in class. History and science were her favorite school subjects, and remain topics she frequently writes about.

After reading many children's books to her young daughter, Hopkinson began her own career as an author and quickly found an audience. Her first published work, the picture book Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, was recognized by the International Reading Association and Reading Rainbows. From picture books like Birdie's Lighthouse to non-fiction for young adults like Up Before Daybreak and Shutting Out the Sky, Hopkinson's award-winning books combine attention to small details with a presentation — text, illustration, and photographs — that engage young people with history.

Hopkinson has produced an impressive body of work, even as she worked full-time in philanthropy at the University of Hawaii, Oregon State University, and now at the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Deborah Hopkinson and her family live in Corvallis, Oregon.