Mildred Taylor Writer

Background Born September 13, 1943, in Jackson, MississippiBorn September 13, 1943, in Jackson, Mississippi Family moved to Ohio after her birth, where her father held a factory jobFamily moved to Ohio after her birth, where her father held a factory job Extended family followed them to OhioExtended family followed them to Ohio

Background “Even though he lived in the North, Taylor’s father never stopped loving the South and the family that remained behind in Mississippi, and throughout Taylor’s childhood, he regularly took his wife and children to visit them. It was during those visits to Mississippi that Taylor learned about family history and storytelling, both of which would, years later, become essential to her writing career “Even though he lived in the North, Taylor’s father never stopped loving the South and the family that remained behind in Mississippi, and throughout Taylor’s childhood, he regularly took his wife and children to visit them. It was during those visits to Mississippi that Taylor learned about family history and storytelling, both of which would, years later, become essential to her writing career. ”

Background “The telling of family stories was a regular feature of Taylor family gatherings. Family storytellers told about the struggles relatives and friends faced in a racist culture, stories that revealed triumph, pride, and tragedy.” Chris Crowe Chris Crowe Background

Background Her great grandfather was the son of a white plantation owner in Alabama and a slave womanHer great grandfather was the son of a white plantation owner in Alabama and a slave woman In the late 1800s, this young man ran away to buy land in MississippiIn the late 1800s, this young man ran away to buy land in Mississippi This land is still owned by the Taylor familyThis land is still owned by the Taylor family

Background She attended newly integrated schools in ToledoShe attended newly integrated schools in Toledo She graduated from University of Toledo in 1965She graduated from University of Toledo in 1965 She joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in EthiopiaShe joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in Ethiopia

Background Upon returning to U.S., she earned a master’s degree from University of ColoradoUpon returning to U.S., she earned a master’s degree from University of Colorado She settled in Los Angeles to pursue writing careerShe settled in Los Angeles to pursue writing career

Books First book—Song of the Trees—won the Council on Interracial Books for Children Award in 1974First book—Song of the Trees—won the Council on Interracial Books for Children Award in 1974 Second novel—Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry—won 1977 Newbery AwardSecond novel—Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry—won 1977 Newbery Award

Books Nearly all events in her novels are based on stories she has heard from her father and other family members; nearly all characters are based on family members or acquaintances. The Logan family saga is Taylor family history.Nearly all events in her novels are based on stories she has heard from her father and other family members; nearly all characters are based on family members or acquaintances. The Logan family saga is Taylor family history.

Other Books The LandThe Land The WellThe Well Mississippi BridgeMississippi Bridge Song of the TreesSong of the Trees The FriendshipThe Friendship

Other Books Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryRoll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Let the Circle Be UnbrokenLet the Circle Be Unbroken The Road to MemphisThe Road to Memphis LoganLogan

Themes The importance of familyThe importance of family Land as a symbol of independenceLand as a symbol of independence Weather as an echo of human emotionsWeather as an echo of human emotions Hope in the face of destructionHope in the face of destruction Coming of ageComing of age

Themes Doing what you “gotta do”Doing what you “gotta do” Friendship at riskFriendship at risk Greed as a cause of hatredGreed as a cause of hatred Independence and self-respectIndependence and self-respect

“By the time I entered high school, I had a driving compulsion to paint a truer picture of Black people... I wanted to show a Black family united in love and pride of which the reader would like to be a part.” Mildred Taylor