Member Profile

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Karen Krossing

Karen Krossing

Karen Krossing wrote comics and poetry as a kid and dreamed of becoming a published writer. Today, she’s the author of seven successful novels for kids and teens as well as her debut picture book Sour Cakes (illustrated by Anna Kwan). Her recent titles include Punch Like a Girl, which was runner-up for the Kaywell Books Save Lives Award, Bog, which won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and Cut the Lights, which received a starred review in ALA Booklist. She graduated with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2020. She has picture books forthcoming with Owlkids (Fall 2022) and Groundwood (Spring 2023) as well as a fantasy novel for kids with Charlesbridge (Fall 2023). Karen lives with her family in Toronto on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinabeg and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit.

City:
Toronto, ON
Province:
Ontario

Publications

One Tiny Bubble: The Story of Our Last Universal Common Ancestor. 2022, Owlkids Books, illustrated by Dawn Lo
Sour Cakes. 2021, Owlkids Books, illustrated by Anna Kwan
Punch Like a Girl. 2015, Orca Book Publishers
Bog. 2014, Fitzhenry & Whiteside
Cut the Lights. 2013, Orca Book Publishers
The Yo-Yo Prophet. 2011, Orca Book Publishers
Pure. 2005, Second Story Press
Take the Stairs. 2003, Second Story Press
The Castle Key. 2000, Dundurn Press
“Profanity” in Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls. 2008, Sumach Press
“Dragon’s Breath” in Opening Tricks. 1998, Thistledown Press

Awards

Joan F. Kaywell Books Save Lives Award, Runner-Up for Punch Like a Girl, 2017
Best Book for Teens selection, Canadian Children's Book Centre for Punch Like a Girl, 2015
SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for Canada for Bog, 2015
Ontario Library Association Best Bets selection for Bog, 2014
Best Book for Kids selection, Canadian Children's Book Centre for Bog, 2014
Ontario Library Association Best Bets Honourable Mention for The Yo-Yo Prophet , 2011
Best Book for Teens selection, Canadian Children's Book Centre for The Yo-Yo Prophet , 2011
Ontario Library Association White Pine Award nominee for Take the Stairs, 2004
Links:
Website
http://www.karenkrossing.com
,
Eligible for National Public Readings Program:
Yes

WITS

Presentation Description

The purpose of Karen’s book talks is to promote literacy. Her talks usually include how she evolved as a writer, the writing life, an introduction to the work, a short reading, a discussion of issues raised by the reading, an oral storywriting exercise involving the audience, and questions and answers. The ideal audience is not more than 100 students.

Presentation Length:
1 hour
Genre:
Fiction for kids and teens
Grades:
K-12
Audience Size:
100
Workshop Description:

Customized writing workshops are available for children, teens, and adults. The ideal audience size is a maximum of 30 participants, although larger groups can be accommodated. For more information, go here.

Equity Initiative

As part of the Union’s Equity Implementation Plan, we are committed to increasing awareness of authors who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQI2S, or living with a disability. This author identifies as:

  • LGBTQI2S