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Jessica Scott Kerrin

Author

Halifax, Nova Scotia
Email: Jessica_kerrin@yahoo.com
Web: jessicascottkerrin.wordpress.com

Born: Edmonton, Alberta

Biography

Jessica grew up on the Canadian Prairies, and although she enjoyed school, she had a terrible secret. She was a lousy speller. This made it tough because she really liked to write. It turns out that a lot of writers can’t spell, and Jessica figured this out when she got her first award for creative writing, back in grade three. On the trophy, her writing teacher had misspelled her name! Since then, Jessica has tried, as much as she can, to write about experiences she finds funny, like that one. Today, she lives with her family and their pet tortoise in downtown Halifax in a house so old, the floors slope, and all the marbles end up in one corner. They like to share outdoor adventures, including a jungle trek in Costa Rica, and more recently, a sailing tour in Croatia. In addition to writing, Jessica has managed galleries, dance schools and museums, and she has worked with artists, performers and curators. Now that Jessica has staff, she gets them to check her spelling. Some things never improve.

Published Works

Martin Bridge: The Sky's the Limit! (Kids Can Press, Fall, 2008)
Martin Bridge: In High Gear! (Kids Can Press, Spring, 2008)
Martin Bridge: Sound the Alarm! (Kids Can Press, Spring, 2007)
Martin Bridge: Out of Orbit! (Kids Can Press, Fall, 2007)
Martin Bridge: Blazing Ahead! (Kids Can Press, Fall, 2006)
Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff! (Kids Can Press, 2005)
Martin Bridge: On the Lookout! (Kids Can Press, 2005)

Awards

Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff! Nominated for the 2008-2009 Massachusetts Children's Book Award
Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff! has received the following nominations and/or recognition:
Nominated for the 2007 Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award. Results pending
New York City Public Library’s selection for "Top Books of 2005"
The Horn Book’s "The Best of 2005".
2006 Notable Books List by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), American Library Association
Nominated for the 2007 Hackmatack Award (Nova Scotia Children’s Choice Award).
Nominated for the 2007 Willow Award (Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice).
Nominated for the 2008 Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award.

Martin Bridge: On the Lookout! has received the following nominations and/or recognition:
Nominated for the 2007 Gate City Book Award (by the New Hampshire school library media specialists).

Martin Bridge: Blazing Ahead! has received the following nominations and/or recognition:
Nominated for the 2008 Hackmatack Award (Nova Scotia Children’s Choice Award). Results pending.
Martin Bridge: Out of Orbit! has received the following nominations and/or recognition: Junior Library Guild Premier Selection Award, Fall, 2007

Martin Bridge: In High Gear! has received the following nominations and/or recognition: Junior Library Guild Premier Selection Award, Spring, 2008

Other Memberships

Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia; the Canadian Children’s Book Centre

Available For

Literacy conferences, teacher in-service days and creative writing classes, as well as school and library presentations to elementary-aged children