Draper lives in Cincinnati with her husband. In 2000, she retired from teaching in order to spend more time on her writing. She credits this letter with helping her realize that she could be a writer. Among those who wrote to congratulate her was Roots author Alex Haley. Upon winning, Draper was awarded five thousand dollars and her story was published. Her own writing career began in 1990 when, as a teacher, she was challenged by a ninth-grade student to 'write something.' She entered a short story entitled 'One Small Torch' to a writing contest through Ebony magazine. During this time she became locally famous for her 'Draper Paper,' a challenging research paper assigned to graduating seniors. Post-graduation, she began teaching in Cincinnati public schools. ĭraper earned her Bachelor's Degree, majoring in English, from Pepperdine University and her Master's of Arts degree in English from Miami University of Ohio in 1974.

By eleven she had read nearly every children's book in her local library and was given a special library card in order to be allowed to check out adult books. Growing up, she played the piano and loved to read. She is known for her Hazelwood and Jericho series, Copper Sun, Double Dutch, Out of My Mind and Romiette and Julio.ĭraper was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Victor D. She is a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for books about the young and adolescent African-American experience. Sharon Mills Draper (born August 21, 1948) is an American children's writer, professional educator, and the 1997 National Teacher of the Year. Mills (father) Catherine Gachett Mills (mother) Pepperdine University ( BD) Miami University of Ohio ( MA)

Panic book by sharon m draper