Books Wendy McClure Loves

Wendy knows a LOT about books. She's worked as a children's book editor for almost 20 years, and has written several books of her own.

These are books she read growing up and loved...

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte"Read it in 4th grade... maybe a little young, but I loved it." — *Jane Eyre* by Charlotte Bronte
"Read it in 4th grade... maybe a little young, but I loved it."

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin"A middle-grade novel with multiple points of view, including adult characters. I loved that so much. " — *The Westing Game* by Ellen Raskin
"A middle-grade novel with multiple points of view, including adult characters. I loved that so much. "

Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Paterson"You will cry all the tears." — *Bridge to Terebithia* by Katherine Paterson
"You will cry all the tears."

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret AtwoodRead this one in my teens. Awesome and unforgettable. — *The Handmaid's Tale* by Margaret Atwood
Read this one in my teens. Awesome and unforgettable.

And these are books Wendy has read more recently and would recommend to young adults. Her picks include: "Two memoirs written by writers who became friends in college. Lucy Grealy's story is heartbreaking but amazing, and Ann Patchett's remembrance of her is so moving and wonderful." She also recommends anything by YA author Siobhan Vivian. "Just really smart stories in high school settings." And Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein -- "two great YA historical novels about women pilots in WWII, and they're also great stories about friendship."

Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy — *Autobiography of a Face* by Lucy Grealy

Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett — *Truth and Beauty* by Ann Patchett

The List by Siobhan Vivian — *The List* by Siobhan Vivian

Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian — *Not That Kind of Girl* by Siobhan Vivian

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein — *Rose Under Fire* by Elizabeth Wein

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein — *Code Name Verity* by Elizabeth Wein

Wendy write her own books. Her childhood love of the Little House on the Prairie series inspired her to find out more about the world of the books. Her book The Wilder Life follows her adventures in churning butter, sunbonnets, and the Ingalls family's many homesteads. She still posts about the Ingalls family here.

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder — *Little House on the Prairie* by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure — *The Wilder Life* by Wendy McClure

She also wrote a series about the Orphan Train of the early 20th century. Three kids escape the orphan train and start their own adult-free community on the prairie. It's a fun adventure series for middle-grade readers.

Wanderville by Wendy McClure — *Wanderville* by Wendy McClure

Wanderville: On Track for Treasure by Wendy McClure — *Wanderville: On Track for Treasure* by Wendy McClure

Wanderville: Escape to the World's Fair by Wendy McClure — *Wanderville: Escape to the World's Fair* by Wendy McClure

Wendy write for magazines and websites, and blogs about her life and her family history research. But she also writes for very young readers.

Wendy McClure

Children’s book editor and writer Wendy McClure tells us about what first made her feel like a writer, studying at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, how she picks manuscripts, and writing a book about all the Little House on the Prairie home sites.

Check out our interview with Wendy and find out more about her work!

Find Out More... Wendy McClure