Gayle Newmann Friesen

Background

Gayle Friesen was born on September 18, 1960, in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

Education

Gayle graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1986 with a degree in English literature.

Career

Alter completing high school, Gayle traveled around Europe, worked in a bank and at a courthouse in Canada for two years. Friesen went to college believing that she would be inspired about a career, and while she enjoyed English literature, she knew she did not want to teach it.

Friesen had been married for five years when she gave birth to her son, Bradey, shortly before graduating. Two years later, her daughter, Alex, was born. All the while, Friesen considered what to do with her degree. And she decided to start her writing career by writing for children because she and her own kids were reading and throughly enjoying so many children’s books. Her first efforts included picture books and short stories. An assignment in a post-graduate creative writing course gave her the confidence to pursue her desire to write young adult fiction. Her first novel, Janey's Girl, was published in 1998. After that she has written five other novels for young adults.

Achievements

• Gayle Friesen is known for her novel Janey's Girl, which was critically acclaimed, winning the Canadian Library Association's Young Adult Book Award and the Red Maple Reading Award. It was also nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Award.

Works

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  • The Isabel Factor

    (When the fearless Zoe breaks her arm in a fall, Anna must...)

    2005
  • Janey's Girl

    (Gayle Friesen's novel Janey's Girl is a coming-of-age sto...)

    1998
  • Men of Stone

    (In Gayle Friesen's powerful novel, 15-year-old Ben can't ...)

    2000
  • Losing Forever

    (In this novel by Gayle Friesen, normal life for Jes is sl...)

    2002
  • The Valley

    (At 38, Gloria is a vaguely dissatisfied wife and mother. ...)

    2009
  • For Now

    (Jes desperately needs something solid to hold onto. In Lo...)

    2007

Connections

Gayle married Brian Friesen on July 11, 1981. They have two children: Bradey and Alexandra.

Spouse:

Brian Friesen

Son:

Bradey Friesen

Daughter:

Alexandra Friesen

References

• Contemporary Authors A Bio-Bibliographical Guide to Current Writers in Fiction, General Non-Fiction, Poetry, Journalism, Drama, Motion Pictures, Television, and Other Fields
  2008