# Ellen Wittlinger

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American author (1948–2022)

Ellen Wittlinger Born (1948-10-21)21 October 1948 Belleville, Illinois, U.S. Died 17 November 2022(2022-11-17) (aged 74) Williamsburg, Massachusetts, U.S. Occupation Novelist, young adult fiction writer Genre Young Adult Notable works Hard Love, ZigZag, others Website www.ellenwittlinger.com

**Ellen Wittlinger** (October 21, 1948 – November 17, 2022) was an American author of young adults novels, including the [Michael L. Printz Honor](/source/Michael_L._Printz_Award) book *[Hard Love](/source/Hard_Love_(novel))*.

## Early life and education

Ellen Wittlinger was born in [Belleville, Illinois](/source/Belleville%2C_Illinois) on October 21, 1948, to Karl and Doris Wittlinger. As a teenager, she often worked in her parents' store.[1]

Wittlinger earned a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) in art and sociology from [Millikin University](/source/Millikin_University) in 1970, after which she moved to [Ashland, Oregon](/source/Ashland%2C_Oregon). Shortly after, she was accepted into the [Iowa Writers' Workshop](/source/Iowa_Writers'_Workshop) at the [University of Iowa](/source/University_of_Iowa), from which she earned a [Master of Fine Arts](/source/Master_of_Fine_Arts) in 1973.[1]

## Career

Wittlinger began her writing career after receiving fellowships from the [Fine Arts Work Center](/source/Fine_Arts_Work_Center). She published her first book, a poetry collection, *Breakers*, in 1979. She continued writing poetry and expanded to playwriting.[1] Her one-act play *One Civilized Person* began as a character sketch at one of the [Playwrights' Platform](/source/Playwrights'_Platform)’s Saturday workshops and, according to *[The Boston Phoenix](/source/The_Phoenix_(newspaper))*, "blossomed into a startlingly funny and terrifying work, a three-character play that never leaves the living room yet resonates far, far beyond."[2] One of her plays won the author's prize at the annual Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theaters competition.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Wittlinger later worked as a librarian part-time with the [Swampscott Public Library](/source/Swampscott_Public_Library), which inspired her to focus her writing on children's and young adult literature. She published her first novel, *Lombardo's Law*, in 1993.[1][3]

In addition to writing, Wittlinger taught at [Emerson College](/source/Emerson_College) and [Simmons University](/source/Simmons_University).[1]

## Personal life

While at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, Wittlinger met David Pritchard, whom she married in 1978. The two moved to [Cambridge, Massachusetts](/source/Cambridge%2C_Massachusetts) following Wittlinger's graduation. The couple had two children: Kate and Morgan.[1]

Wittlinger died from [Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease](/source/Creutzfeldt%E2%80%93Jakob_disease) on November 17, 2022, at the age of 74.[1][4] Upon her death, Justin Chanda, the senior vice president and publisher of [Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers](/source/Simon_%26_Schuster_Books_for_Young_Readers), stated,

To say that Ellen Wittlinger was a trailblazer is beyond an understatement. For decades she wrote engaging, searing books that never shied away from showing all facets of love, identity, and sense of self. She was an absolute pioneer of LGTBQ+ literature, a fierce advocate for all voices, and a genuinely warm and wonderful human being. She will be missed terribly, but her books will live on as will her legacy.[1]

## Awards and honors

Six of Wittlinger's books are [Junior Library Guild](/source/Junior_Library_Guild) selections: *Gracie’s Girl* (2000),[5] *What's in a Name?* (2000),[6] *Razzle* (2002),[7] *Zigzag* (2003),[8] *Heart on My Sleeve* (2004),[9] and *Sandpiper* (2005).[10]

The [American Library Association](/source/American_Library_Association) (ALA) has included multiple novels on their list of [Best Fiction for Young Adults](/source/Best_Fiction_for_Young_Adults), including *Hard Love* (2000),[11] *What's in a Name* (2001),[12] *Razzle* (2002),[13] *Sandpiper* (2006),[14] and *Blind Faith* (2007).[15] In 2008, the ALA also included *Parrotfish* on their [Rainbow Book List](/source/American_Library_Association_Rainbow_List)[16] and their list of [Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults](/source/Popular_Paperbacks_for_Young_Adults).[17]

Awards for Wittlinger's writing Year Title Award Result Ref. 2000 Hard Love Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature Winner [18] Michael L. Printz Award Honor [19] 2001 What's in a Name Massachusetts Book Award Winner 2008 Parrotfish Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature Finalist [20] 2009 Love & Lies: Marisol's Story Ferro-Grumley Award Finalist [21] Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature Finalist [22]

## Selected bibliography

- *Lombardo's Law*. [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt](/source/Houghton_Mifflin_Harcourt). 1993. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-39-565969-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-39-565969-4).[3]

- *Noticing Paradise*. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 1995. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-39-571646-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-39-571646-5).[23]

- *[Hard Love](/source/Hard_Love_(novel))*. [Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers](/source/Simon_%26_Schuster_Books_for_Young_Readers). 1999. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-68-982134-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-68-982134-9).[24]

- *What's In a Name*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2000. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-68-982551-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-68-982551-4).[25]

- *Gracie's Girl*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2000. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-68-984960-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-68-984960-2).[26]

- *Razzle*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2001. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-68-983565-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-68-983565-0).[27]

- *The Long Night of Leo and Bree*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2002. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-68-983564-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-68-983564-3).[28]

- *Zigzag*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2003. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-68-984996-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-68-984996-1).[29]

- *Heart on My Sleeve*. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. 2004. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-68-984997-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-68-984997-8).[30]

- *Sandpiper*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2005. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-68-986802-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-68-986802-3).[31]

- *Blind Faith*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2006. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-41-690273-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-41-690273-7).[32]

- *Parrotfish*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2007. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-41-691622-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-41-691622-2).[33]

- *Love & Lies: Marisol's Story*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2008. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-41-691623-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-41-691623-9).[34]

- *This Means War!*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2010. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-41-697101-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-41-697101-6).[35]

- *Local Girl Swept Away*. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2016. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-44-058900-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-44-058900-3).[36]

- *Saturdays with Hitchcock*. Charlesbridge. 2017. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-58-089775-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-58-089775-4).[37]

- *Someone Else's Shoes*. Charlesbridge. 2018. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-58-089749-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-58-089749-5).[38]

## See also

- [Children and Young Adult Literature portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Children_and_Young_Adult_Literature)

- [Phyllis Reynolds Naylor](/source/Phyllis_Reynolds_Naylor)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:1_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:1_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:1_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-:1_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-:1_1-7) Maughan, Shannon (2022-11-22). ["Obituary: Ellen Wittlinger"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/90990-obituary-ellen-wittlinger.html). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230926070552/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/90990-obituary-ellen-wittlinger.html) from the original on 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Edelstein, David (1982-07-06). ["One-acts to grind: School for bards"](https://archive.org/details/sim_boston-phoenix_1982-07-06_11_27/page/n64/mode/1up). *The Boston Phoenix*. Retrieved 2024-09-04.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_3-1) ["Lombardo's Law by Ellen Wittlinger"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780395659694). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. 1993-10-04. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Jensen, Kelly (22 November 2022). ["Ellen Wittlinger, Author Of Hard-hitting Queer Ya, Has Died"](https://bookriot.com/ellen-wittlinger/). Book Riot. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221122123931/https://bookriot.com/ellen-wittlinger/) from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Gracie's Girl"](https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/gracie-s-girl-9780689822490j). *[Junior Library Guild](/source/Junior_Library_Guild)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240601151359/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/gracie-s-girl-9780689822490j) from the original on 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["What’s in a Name"](https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/what-s-in-a-name-9780689825514j). *[Junior Library Guild](/source/Junior_Library_Guild)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240225050054/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/what-s-in-a-name-9780689825514j) from the original on 2024-02-25. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Razzle"](https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/razzle-9780689835650j). *[Junior Library Guild](/source/Junior_Library_Guild)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240601151404/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/razzle-9780689835650j) from the original on 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Zigzag"](https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/zigzag-9780689849961j). *[Junior Library Guild](/source/Junior_Library_Guild)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240601151405/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/zigzag-9780689849961j) from the original on 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Heart on My Sleeve"](https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/heart-on-my-sleeve-9780689849978j). *[Junior Library Guild](/source/Junior_Library_Guild)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240601151409/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/heart-on-my-sleeve-9780689849978j) from the original on 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Sandpiper"](https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/sandpiper-9780689868023j). *[Junior Library Guild](/source/Junior_Library_Guild)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240601151424/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/sandpiper-9780689868023j) from the original on 2024-06-01. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Hard Love"](https://www.ala.org/winner/hard-love). *[American Library Association](/source/American_Library_Association)*. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["What's in a Name"](https://www.ala.org/winner/whats-name). *[American Library Association](/source/American_Library_Association)*. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Razzle"](https://www.ala.org/winner/razzle). *[American Library Association](/source/American_Library_Association)*. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Sandpiper"](https://www.ala.org/winner/sandpiper). *[American Library Association](/source/American_Library_Association)*. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Blind Faith"](https://www.ala.org/winner/blind-faith). *[American Library Association](/source/American_Library_Association)*. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Zvirin, Stephanie (2008-05-15). ["The Rainbow List: 2008"](https://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=2662110). *[Booklist](/source/Booklist)*. Retrieved 2024-05-31.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Parrotfish"](https://www.ala.org/winner/parrotfish-0). *[American Library Association](/source/American_Library_Association)*. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Killeen, Wendy (2000-06-11). ["Lambda Literary Award, Young Adult Novel, 1999"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83803910/lambda-literary-award-young-adult/). *The Boston Globe*. p. 416. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220217130923/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83803910/lambda-literary-award-young-adult/) from the original on 2022-02-17. Retrieved 2022-02-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Michael L. Printz Winners and Honor Books"](http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/bookawards/printzaward/previouswinners/winners). *[American Library Association](/source/American_Library_Association)*. 15 March 2007. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151104231300/http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/bookawards/printzaward/previouswinners/winners) from the original on 4 November 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-twentieth_20-0)** Gonzalez Cerna, Antonio (2007-04-30). ["20th Annual Lambda Literary Awards"](https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2007/04/lambda-literary-awards-2007-2/). [Lambda Literary Foundation](/source/Lambda_Literary_Foundation). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190522010244/https://www.lambdaliterary.org/winners-finalists/04/30/lambda-literary-awards-2007-2/) from the original on 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2022-02-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_21-0)** ["The Ferro-Grumley Awards"](https://publishingtriangle.org/awards/ferro-grumley-awards/). *[The Publishing Triangle](/source/The_Publishing_Triangle)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230924233050/https://publishingtriangle.org/awards/ferro-grumley-awards/) from the original on 2023-09-24. Retrieved 2024-05-19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-twentyfirst_22-0)** Gonzalez Cerna, Antonio (2010-02-18). ["21st Annual Lambda Literary Awards"](https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2010/02/lambda-literary-awards-2008-2/). [Lambda Literary Foundation](/source/Lambda_Literary_Foundation). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200105091101/http://www.lambdaliterary.org/winners-finalists/02/18/lambda-literary-awards-2008-2/) from the original on 2020-01-05. Retrieved 25 September 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Noticing Paradise"](https://www.booklistonline.com/Noticing-Paradise-Ellen-Wittlinger/pid=988950). *[Booklist](/source/Booklist)*. 1995-11-01. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780689821349). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. 1999-05-31. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["What's in a Name by Ellen Wittlinger"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780689825514). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. 2000-02-28. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["GRACIE'S GIRL by Ellen Wittlinger"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780689849602). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. 2002-04-01. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["RAZZLE by Ellen Wittlinger"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780689856006). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. 2003-03-24. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210623054855/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780689856006) from the original on 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["The Long Night of Leo and Bree"](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/the-long-night-of-leo-and-bree/). *[Kirkus Reviews](/source/Kirkus_Reviews)*. 15 January 2002. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150708213938/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/the-long-night-of-leo-and-bree/) from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Zigzag"](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/zigzag-3/). *[Kirkus Reviews](/source/Kirkus_Reviews)*. Kirkus Media LLC. 1 July 2003. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150708203453/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/zigzag-3/) from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["Heart On My Sleeve"](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/heart-on-my-sleeve/). *[Kirkus Reviews](/source/Kirkus_Reviews)*. 15 June 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150708202645/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/heart-on-my-sleeve/) from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Sandpiper by Ellen Wittlinger"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780689868023). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. 2005-08-15. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["Blind Faith"](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/blind-faith-2/). *[Kirkus Reviews](/source/Kirkus_Reviews)*. 1 July 2006. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150708205226/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/blind-faith-2/) from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Parrotfish"](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/parrotfish/). *[Kirkus Reviews](/source/Kirkus_Reviews)*. 19 May 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150708213252/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/parrotfish/) from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Love & Lies"](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/love-lies-2/). *[Kirkus Reviews](/source/Kirkus_Reviews)*. Kirkus Media LLC. 24 June 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150708204050/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/love-lies-2/) from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["This Means War!"](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/this-means-war/). *[Kirkus Reviews](/source/Kirkus_Reviews)*. 15 March 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150708213146/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-wittlinger/this-means-war/) from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** ["Local Girl Swept Away by Ellen Wittlinger"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781440589003). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. 2016-03-14. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["Saturdays with Hitchcock by Ellen Wittlinger"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781580897754). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["Someone Else's Shoes by Ellen Wittlinger"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781580897495). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

## External links

- [Author's website](http://www.ellenwittlinger.com/)

- [Short biography on the author's website](http://www.ellenwittlinger.com/about.html)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States Netherlands Korea Israel People DDB Other IdRef SNAC Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ellen Wittlinger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Wittlinger) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Wittlinger?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.