Jerry Spinelli was born in the US state of Pennsylvania in 1941, where he still lives with is wife Eileen, also a children’s writer. Together they have six children and 21 grandchildren. His children inspired him as he wrote his books, although at times he would resort to using cottonwool in his ears to block out the joyfully noisy household. Spinelli says on his website that his own childhood memories are like a library of ideas for his stories.
Jerry is best known for his literature written for teenagers and young adults, and has been lauded for his poetic and compassionate stories. He was awarded a Newbery Medal in 1991 for Maniac Magee.
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