Joyce Carol Thomas received a National Book Award for her first novel, Marked by Fire, published by Avon in 1982.  She is the editor of an anthology for young adult readers, A Gathering of Flowers:  Stories About Being Young in America, and a novel, When the Nightingale Sings.  Her collection of poems for children - Brown Honey and Broomwheat Tea, which is illustrated by Floyd Cooper- was published in 1993.  Ms. Thomas was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, which is the setting of three of her novels:  Marked by Fire, Bright Shadow, and The Golden Pasture.  She received a bachelor of arts degree from California State University, San Jose and a master of arts degree  in education from Stanford University.  She has taught in middle schools, high schools, and universities.

Ms. Thomas was a featured panel speaker at the Virginia Hamilton Conference in 1995.
 
 

       Visit Joyce Carol Thomas' Home Page

    Return to the Authors and Illustrators Page