Bio:

ELIZABETH RUSCH is an award-winning children's book author and magazine writer. She writes both fiction and nonfiction in the areas of science, art, sports, waves, jokes, crayons, and mud — anything that catches her fancy.

Her newest title, The Mighty Mars Rovers: The incredible adventures of Spirit and Opportunity (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), a Junior Library Guild selection, has garnered starred reviews from The Horn Book, School Library Journal, Booklist and Kirkus, which called the book “enthralling,” “stellar,” and “edge-of-your-seat reading.” It has been named a best book of 2012 by Kirkus, School Library Journal, the New York Public Library, and the Nonfiction Detectives, and was awarded an Orbis Pictus Honor. NSTA named it an Outstanding Science Trade Book. The Mighty Mars Rovers sold out of its first printing in just a few months.

In its starred review, Publishers’ Weekly described Rusch’s recent nonfiction picture book biography, For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart (Tricycle Press/Random House) as “a moving portrait of an unsung musician.” Kirkus, in its starred review, called it “an extraordinarily constructed work.” The Oregonian named the book “a masterpiece.” It is in its second printing.

Rusch began her professional writing career as an editor and writer for Teacher Magazine, a national award-winning magazine for elementary and secondary school teachers. That inside view of how magazine publishing worked gave Rusch what she needed to know to become a successful full-time freelance writer. She has published more than 100 articles in numerous national magazines for children and adults. Her publishing credits include Muse, Read, American Girl, Harper's, Smithsonian, Mother Jones, Parenting, and Backpacker, among many others.

After spending nearly a decade writing about children, Liz was itching to write for children. Her first book, Generation Fix (Beyond Words/S&S) was a Smithsonian magazine Notable Children’s Book and a finalist for the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award and the Oregon Book Award. It has been published in Korean and in audio book and is in its third printing.

Will It Blow?: Become a Volcano Detective at Mount St. Helens (Sasquatch) was a Natural History magazine Best Book for Young Readers, a Washington Reads pick, and a finalist for the Oregon Book Award. It has been reprinted in hardcover.

Her nonfiction picturebook biography The Planet Hunter: The Story behind what Happened to Pluto (Rising Moon) which the L.A. Times called “a fascinating tale, charmingly told” was also an Oregon Book Award finalist and has been published in Korean.

Rusch’s picturebook, A Day with No Crayons (Rising Moon) won the Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award for Children’s Literature and was a finalist for the Illinois children’s choice award. The San Francisco Chronicle called the book “a gem,” and The Detroit Free Press described it as “a great story of imagination and inspiration.” The book has been published in Korean and is in its third printing.

Rusch’s picturebook Volcano Rising forthcoming from Charlesbridge has been named a Junior Library Guild selection as has Eruption!: Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives, forthcoming from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. She has a picturebook biography called Electrical Wizard: How Nikola Tesla Lit Up The World forthcoming from Candlewick, and a middle-grade graphic novel called Muddy Max forthcoming from AMP! for Kids. Also in the works are books on glass artist Dale Chihuly and planet-saving chemist Mario Molina as well as a middle-grade novel called April Fool.

Rusch’s literary awards include the Kay Snow Literary Award, a Maggie Award, and an Oregon Literary Fellowship, among others. She teaches nonfiction and children’s literature at the Attic Institute and speaks widely at schools and writing conferences. To learn more about her books, articles, awards, school visits, and speaking engagements, please visit her website at www.elizabethrusch.com. Elizabeth Rusch is a member of the Ink Think Tank and blogs about nonfiction writing on the Interesting Nonfiction for Kids blog at inkrethink.blogspot.com. You can also read the blog run by her talented critique group the Viva Scrivas at www.vivascriva.com.

Liz lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, her two children, and her dog Reba.


Writer
PAL
Member since 2000
Region: Oregon

Contact Information

Website:  http://www.elizabethrusch.com

Published In Children's Market: Yes
Available for Speaking Engagements? Yes