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Sharon E. McKay

Photo: Julie Johnson, Vine Images, Burlington, Ontario. 2012

Sharon McKay was born in l954, grew up in Montreal and graduated from York University with a BA. She has lived with, or been married to, David MacLeod for thirty-five years. Together they have two sons and one grandson. 

Over the course of her career she has worked in magazines, newspapers, radio, film and written both fiction and non-fiction books.

Currently she is under contact for a series with Penguin, Canada.

War Brothers, the novel published by Penguin Canada, won the Arthur Ellis Award and was written in Gulu, Uganda. War Brothers thr Graphic Novel, with artist Dan Lafrance, will be released in 2013 by Annick Books. 

Enemy Territory, Annick Books, is the story of two boys who meet in a hospital in Jerusalem and head off into the night. It was written in Israel and the West Bank. 2012.

Sharon is a Canadian War Artist (CFAP-vet, 2008-9) Kandahar, Afghanistan. She will return to the program in 2012-13, Kabul, Afghanistan. In the fall of 2012 Sharon will be the WIR in a private school Oakville, Ontario. September will be spent in Brigus, Newfoundland, Kent Cottage provided by the Landfall Trust.

Sharon currently lives in Prince Edward Island although travels to Ontario one week out of every month during the school year. Schools interested in an author booking should contact Author Book Service, ABS.

www.sharonmckay.com

E-mail: sharonmckay@outlook.com
Phone number:
902 367-6020

Publications

Charlie Wilcox. Penguin, 2002 and 2011
Charlie Wilcox's Great War. Penguin, 2003.
Penelope: Our Canadian Girl series. Penguin, 2001 and 2010
Glass Castle: Our Canadian Girl series. Penguin, 2002.
An Irish Penny: Our Canadian Girl series. Penguin, 2003.
War Brothers. Penguin, 2008
Thunder Over Kandahar. Annick Press, 2011
Enemy Territory. Annick Books, 2012

Awards

IBBY, International Board on Books for Young People, 2002.
IODE, National Chapter of Canada, Violet Downey Book Award, 2001.
Geoffery Bilson Award for Historical Fiction, 2001.
UNESCO International Youth Library - White Raven Award.
Canadian Children's Book Centre - Our Choice Selection.
Cybils, Blogger Literary Award, US., 2011
Amelia Bloomer Project, List, ALA, 2011
USBBY, Honour List, 2011
Links:
Website
http://www.sharonmckay.ca
Eligible for National Public Readings Program :
Yes

WITS

Presentation Description

Kindergarten, 10 minutes: I like to stop in for a few minutes and read anything. Since this is just for fun I usually pop in during recess. Grades 1& 2, 30 minutes: Book: Molly & Cat. Focus: Story telling and Reading. This is a work-in-progress that children “work” on. Grades 3 to 5: Book: Terror in the Harbour from the Our Canadian Girl series, Penguin. Focus: THE BOY CHALLENGE. Grade 6 to 8: Book: Charlie Wilcox, Focus: Historical fiction Canada-style. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment was decimated in WW1. Their tragedy impacts the rest of Canada today. Charlie tells us how. Grade 9 and up: 60 minutes; Book: Esther. Focus: Historical fiction, Quebec-style (New France) Note: This book, shortlisted for the GG, is based on the true story of a Jewish girl who arrived in Quebec disguised as a boy. Sydney Taylor list (NY) for best Jewish Content. Works best for teens who have had little or no experience with Jewish culture.

Presentation Length:
Flexible
Genre:
Fiction, non fiction, commercial writing
Grades:
Flexible
Audience size:
Flexible
Workshop Description:


Designing a writing career (highschool and parents)

Northern OAC WITS:
Yes
Two sessions:
$Flat fee of $700 for afternoon plus workshop lunch
Four sessions:
$Flat fee of $1000 for full day plus workshop lunch
GST:
GST not applicable