MEET GAIL JARROW

Cover of Gail's first book (self-published), age 8. After that, she wisely stuck to writing, not illustrating.

Gail spent her childhood in a small town near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From an early age, she loved to make up stories. “I wrote my first story when I was seven,” she says. “It was about a king who was so ticklish that he couldn’t swallow foods that tickled his throat.” Once Gail started writing, she never stopped.

Growing up, Gail cared for many beloved animals—cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, and even a donkey. Her pets have appeared in her novels. Several of her nonfiction books are about animals. 

Gail, age 4; Newty, age 17

Gail’s interest in animals led her to study zoology in college and to teach science in grades 4-8. Eventually, she combined her passion for writing with her background in science and education. Her publishing career began when she wrote her first science article for a children’s magazine.

Later Gail’s writing branched into history and biography. She has always been fascinated with the past. “As a child, I enjoyed historic sites and museums, and I still do,” says Gail. ”For my latest book, ROBERT H. JACKSON: NEW DEAL LAWYER, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, NUREMBERG PROSECUTOR, I spent time at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown, New York, and at the Supreme Court in Washington. One of my books, THE PRINTER’S TRIAL, was inspired by a visit to Federal Hall in New York City.”

Inspiration for her fictional work comes from Gail’s childhood memories, her teaching experiences, her travels, and her everyday life. Gail’s three children gave her ideas for several of her novels. For example, BEYOND THE MAGIC SPHERE is based on a fantasy game that they invented.

The game inventors at Stonehenge.

Since 1985, Gail has written novels and nonfiction books for young readers age 8 and up. Her books have received numerous awards.

Gail’s articles and stories have appeared in major children’s magazines such as Highlights for Children, Cricket, Muse, Spider, Cobblestone and Faces. She has been awarded both the “Science Feature of the Year” and “Biography Feature of the Year” by Highlights for Children magazine.

Gail received her B.A. in zoology from Duke University and her M.A. from Dartmouth College.  She has taught science, math, and writing in elementary and middle schools. Currently, she is a writing instructor for adults and lives in Ithaca, New York, with her husband and two cats (Basil and Oreo).

Guess which one is Oreo

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