1. Andrea Davis Pinkney
Inspiring All Readers

2. Andrea Davis Pinkney

3. Life Events
Born September 25, 1963 in Washington, DC

4. Mother a teacher, father a storyteller Parents involved in the
Civil Rights Movement
“I have a dream!”

5. Grew up in Connecticut CT DC

6. Education
Attended Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

7. Majored in Journalism
Graduated in 1985

8. Family Married Brian Pinkney, a children’s book illustrator, in 1991.
Two children
Currently lives in Brooklyn, NY

9. The Brooklyn Bridge Connects Brooklyn to what Island?

10. Career in Publishing Began career as a magazine editor Editor of
Mechanics Illustrated
Essence
Simon & Schuster and Scholastic book publishers

11. Previously, Vice President and Publisher at Houghton Mifflin’s Children’s Division
Today, Vice President and Editor at Large for Scholastic Trade

12. Helped in the creation of …
The Cheetah Girls
The Shanna Show

13. Her Life as a Writer Her husband suggested she begin writing books
They collaborated on Dear Benjamin Banneker, Seven Candles for Kwanzaa, and Duke Ellington

14. Alvin Ailey was her first solo book
Based on the famous African American dancer and choreographer

15. Alvin Ailey

16. Important Ideas Written over 20 books
Extensive research on people and places
Uses colorful and descriptive language

17. Influences
Her parents’ work during the Civil Rights Movement influenced her to write
on the African American community
Strong characters overcoming obstacles

18. Images of the Civil Rights Movement

19. Accomplishments Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters
Carter G. Woodson Award for
Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters
Caldecott Honor Award and Coretta Scott King for
Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra

20. Syracuse University awarded her the
2008 George Arents Pioneer Award for Excellence in the Field of Publishing

21. Some Nonfiction Titles
Seven Candles for Kwanzaa
Dear Benjamin Banneker
Ella Fitzgerald:
The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa

22. Letters from a Slave Girl
Other Fiction Titles
Hold Fast to Dreams
Shake,Shake,
Shake
Abraham Lincoln:
Letters from a Slave Girl

23. Latest News
Newest book
Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Saved a Nation

24. Writing is “so much fun. I can't believe people call it work
Writing is “so much fun! I can't believe people call it work I write every single day because I love it so much.”
Andrea Davis Pinkney

25. References
“Andrea Davis Pinkney.” Answers.com Answers Corporation. 21 January 2009 <
“Andrea Davis Pinkney Biography.” Scholastic.com Scholastic Inc. 21 January 2009 <
“Civil Rights Movement.” Google: Images. 13 Feb <

26. “Events: Andrea Davis Pinkney. ” Center for Digital Literacy
“Events: Andrea Davis Pinkney.” Center for Digital Literacy. Syracuse University. 29 January 2009 <
Ferron, Bonnie. “Kite Tales Articles: Presenting Editor Andrea Pinkney.” SCBWI Kite Tales SCBWI Tri-Regions of Southern California. 21 January 2009 <
Jesberger, Kara, Renee Schecter, and Lori Siebenaller. “Andrea Davis Pinkney.” VG: Voices from the Gaps. 5 May Regents of the University of Minnesota. 21 January 2009 <

27. Johnson, Virginia. “In Step with Andrea Davis Pinkney. ” Kidspoint
Johnson, Virginia. “In Step with Andrea Davis Pinkney.” Kidspoint. The Central Rappahannock Regional Library. 21 January 2009 <
“Martin Luther King, Jr.” American Rhetoric: Top 100 Speeches. 13 February 2009 <