Background
McWilliams, Karen Joan was born on October 12, 1943 in Alexandria, Louisiana, United States.
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- Works
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book
The Journal of Leroy Jeremiah Jones, a Fugitive Slave
(The Journal of Leroy Jeremiah Jones, a Fugitive Slave is ...)
The Journal of Leroy Jeremiah Jones, a Fugitive Slave is about a 12-year-old slave boy who lives on a cotton plantation in Alabama in 1855 with his Mammy, sister Beulah, rascally twin brothers Buster and Bizzle, and Baby Ernestine. Leroy's job is to take care of the evil plantation owner's stepson, Eddy, who becomes his best friend and "conspirator in crime." Leroy and Eddy find plenty of mischief to get into until the day they learn "Pappy Snake" and "Mis Evil Eye", Eddy's stepfather and mother, plan to give Leroy's twin brothers away to relatives in the Carolinas. That's when the two boys launch a plan to hide Leroy's family in a secret cave they discovered the day Eddy skipped school. Leroy meticulously records his escapades with Eddy and the close calls his family has. This book includes photos and nonfiction information that will interest teachers, librarians, and parents and is recommended for children age ten and above.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0759648662/?tag=2022091-20
The Journal of Darien Dexter Duff, an Emancipated Slave
(Darien Dexter Duff, Junior, the older brother of Daneece ...)
Darien Dexter Duff, Junior, the older brother of Daneece and David 'Doofy Doofus' Duff, was born on a Louisiana plantation to Pappy Darien Dexter Duff, Senior and Mammy Chloe. After the bloody Civil War ended in 1865, slaves were emancipated and freed to live and work where they chose. So, Pappy and Mammy decided to seek a better life elsewhere with their three children and Mammy's sister Sue and her six children Cousin Ernie, the twins June and Jenny, Baby Rose, and the rascally Horace and Henry. Darien and his family first trek through Ole Gassy Swamp where they fend off wild critters and Horace falls into quicksand and is almost eaten by a hog! Several days later the family finds employment at a sawmill in Great Piney Woods that Darien and Cousin Ernie believe is haunted by Great Piney Wood Witches! The family works for a short time there. Then they go trekking once more with their new friends, Mammy Marie and her daughter, Solange. The fourteen trekkers soon arrive at the Mississippi River and board a paddleboat, The Mississippi Sam. Darien and his family continue to have harrowing adventures on board ship before arriving in the bustling port of New Orleans where the passengers are welcomed by music makers playing Old Time New Orleans Music. The family decides to settle in New Orleans, and in his journal Darien continues to record their problems, frustrations, mishaps, and hilarious adventures! Be sure to read the other historical novels by K. J. McWilliams! The Journal of Leroy Jeremiah Jones, a Fugitive Slave is about a boy who hides his family in an Appalachian cave when he overhears his master, Pappy 'Snake', making plans to give away his 3-year-old twin brothers, Buster and Bizzle. The Diary of a Slave Girl, Ruby Jo is about a girl who lives on a rice plantation and witnesses Blackbeard and his piraty men blockade Charles Town harbor in May 1718!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1403356742/?tag=2022091-20
Karen Joan McWilliams
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Education
Bachelor in Elementary Education, University Northern Colorado, 1966. Master of Arts in Educational technology /Library. Science, San Diego State University, 1976.
Career
Teacher 2d grade Motherlode Union, Diamond Springs, California, 1966-1967. Teacher 3d grade Redlands (California) Unified School District, 1967-1969, Department of Defense Overseas Schools, various locations, 1969-1977. School library Department of Education, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, 1977-1983.
Passage writer Harcourt Brace Education Measurement, 1995—1997, Pearson Education Measurement, since 2006. Judge Royal Palm Awards, 2010.
Achievements
Works
book
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The Journal of Leroy Jeremiah Jones, a Fugitive Slave
(The Journal of Leroy Jeremiah Jones, a Fugitive Slave is ...)
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The Journal of Darien Dexter Duff, an Emancipated Slave
(Darien Dexter Duff, Junior, the older brother of Daneece ...)
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The Journal of Leroy Jeremiah Jones, a Fugitive Slave
Membership
Member The Authors Guild, Society Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (book reviewer), Florida Writer's Association.
Connections
Daughter of Steve Peters and Nettie Beatrice Barricklow. Step-father: Paul F. McWilliams. Married Charles F. Slezak, June 16, 1973 (divorced 1976).
Married Julio Espinosa, July 26, 1980 (divorced 1988).
Education
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1966
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1976
Career
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1966 - 1967
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1967 - 1969
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1969 - 1977
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1977 - 1983
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1995 - 1997
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2006