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JULIE JOHNSTON

Place of birth: Smith Falls, Ontario
Place of residence: Peterborough, Ontario

Julie Johnston grew up in a small town in eastern Ontario, then went to the University of Toronto to study physio and occupational therapy. After university she and her husband, whom she met while in Toronto, worked for over a year at the Ontario Hospital School for physically and mentally handicapped children in Smith Falls, then travelled for four months in Europe, moved to Kingston, then Toronto and, finally, settled in Peterborough where she raised four daughters. Over the years, she published many short stories in several magazines, but not until an encouraging interview with a writer-in-residence at Trent University, did she begin work on a novel. Hero of Lesser Causes was completed (the first time) in 1986. After many re-writes and several publishing delays, it was published to great acclaim in 1992, winning the Governor General's Literary Award / Children's Literature (for English text) that year. Julie Johnston's second novel, Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me, was also honoured with the Governor General's Literary Award, making her the first author to win the award for both her first and second books.

Awards

1992 Governor General's Literary Award / Children's Literature (for best English text) for Hero of Lesser Causes.

1993 National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award for Hero of Lesser Causes.

1994 Governor General's Literary Award / Children's Literature (for best English text) for Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me.

1995 Ruth Schwartz Children's Book Award (Young Adult/Middle Reader Category) for Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me.

1995 Young Adult Canadian Book Award (Canadian Library Association) for Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me.

Selected Bibliography

Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me. Toronto: Lester Publishing, c1994.
180 p.; 23 cm.
ISBN 1895555620 (bound)
ISBN 1895555647 (pbk.)

Hero of Lesser Causes. Toronto: Lester Publishing, c1992.
178 p.; 23 cm.
ISBN 1895555221

Prepared 15.06.96