Quick Facts
Biography
Marissa Moss (born September 29, 1959, Jeannette, Pennsylvania) is an American children's book author.
Work
Moss's work spans the many ages of a child. She started her first career making picture books. Amelia's Notebook was her first deviation from that format. This book is the format of a journal or diary and is penned in a black and white composition notebook. Moss herself says that she loves this format that she stumbled upon because it allows her to explore the world through a child's eyes. In fact, she says, "The things that happened to Amelia really happened to me--from the fire in the school to the marshmallows on the ceiling — though the names have been changed because my sister is mad enough at me already!"
Other books in this series, which traces Amelia's life through the years, are: Amelia Writes Again, Amelia Hits the Road, Amelia Takes Command, The All New Amelia, My Notebook (with help from Amelia), Luv, Amelia, Luv Nadia, Amelia's Family Ties, Amelia Works It Out!, Oh Boy, Amelia!, Amelia Lends a Hand, Amelia's Best Year Ever, Amelia's Book of Notes & Note Passing, Amelia's Sixth Grade Notebook, Dr. Amelia's Boredom Survival Guide, Madame Amelia Tells All,toddler time Amelia's Bully Survival Guide, Amelia's Guide to Gossip: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Amelia's 5th-Grade Notebook, Amelia's School Survival Guide, Amelia's Most Unforgettable Embarrassing Moments and Amelia's Must-Keep Resolutions For The Best Year Ever!. Still to come in the series and slated for publication in 2007 are: The All-New Amelia, Amelia Tells All, Amelia's 7th-Grade Notebook, and Vote 4 Amelia.
She has also written several historical journals, also in diary format. These include an account of a girl's life during the depression entitled, Rose's Journal: The Story of a Girl in the Great Depression.; Rachel's Journal: The Story of a Pioneer Girl; Emma's Journal: The Story of a Colonial Girl; Hannah's Journal: The Story of an Immigrant Girl; and Galen: My Life in Imperial Rome...
Earlier in her career Marissa Moss wrote and illustrated several children's books not in journal format. These include After School Monster, Wanna Play?, But Not Kate, Regina's Big Mistake, Mel's Diner, In America, and The Ugly Menorah, although most of these are now out of print.
Moss has also written books illustrated by C.F. Payne: True Heart, Brave Harriet: The First Woman to Fly the English Channel, and Mighty Jackie: The Strikeout Queen.
Moss illustrated G is For Google: A Math Alphabet Book, which was written by David Schwartz.
Personal life
Marissa Moss first submitted a book for publication at the age of nine.
She attended the University of California, Berkeley and graduated in 1979. She studied art history in graduate school for two years and then attended the California College of Arts and Crafts to study the publishing world. She, like most artists and authors, received many rejections before finally breaking into print with her book,One, Two, Three & Four. No More? published by Houghton Mifflin in 1988. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Awards
2015
Winner of the Museum of Tolerance 2014 Once Upon A World Children’s Book award, Barbed Wire BaseballNominee for 2015 Beehive Award from the Children's Literature Association ofUtah, Barbed Wire BaseballNominee for 2015 Towner Award, Washington State Student Award for Informational Text, Barbed Wire BaseballFinalist for South Carolina, Children's Choice Award, Barbed Wire Baseball
2014
ALA Notable Book for 2044 2014-2015 Horned Toad Children's Choice, Barbed Wire Baseball
2013
California Reading Association Eureka Honor Book, 2013, Barbed Wire Baseball
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, 2013, Barbed Wire Baseball
2012 Nurse, Soldier, Spy (illustrated by John Hendrix) Amelia Bloomer Project’s Recommended Titles List for 2012
Nominee for the 2012-2013 Great Lakes Great Book AwardCCBC Choices 2012 ListSilver Medal, California Book Award, A Soldier's Secret
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, A Soldier's Secret Starred Review, Kirkus, A Soldier's Secret
Nominee for Amelia Bloomer Project Selection, 2012, A Soldier's Secret
Nominee for California Young Reader Medal, 2012, Nurse, Soldier, Spy
Junior Library Guild Selection 2012:A Soldier’s Secret
Nominee for the 2014 Louisiana Readers Choice Award, Nurse, Soldier, Spy
2012 IRA Teachers’ Choices reading list, Nurse, Soldier, Spy
2012 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People list,
Nurse, Soldier, Spy
The Bravest Woman in America (illustrated by Andrea U’ren) Amelia Bloomer Project’s Recommended Titles List for 2012
2011 Nurse, Soldier, Spy (illustrated by John Hendrix) Junior Library Guild Selection The Bravest Woman in America (illustrated by Andrea U’ren) Junior Library Guild Selection
2010 The Pharaoh’s Secret TriState Young Adult Review Group Books of Note 2010,
2010
- Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee
- Booklist Top Ten Biography in 2010, Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee
- Amelia Bloomer Project Selection, Sky High: The True Story of Maggie Gee
2005
- International Reading Association Teachers' Choices for 2005-2006: Mighty Jackie: the Strike-out Queen
- Selected as a nominee for the 2006 Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award, sponsored by the Kansas Reading Association: Mighty Jackie: the Strike-out Queen
- Selected for the 2005-2006 Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award Master List: Mighty Jackie: the Strike-out Queen
- Placed on the Chickadee Award Master List for 2005-2006 in the state of Maine: Mighty Jackie: the Strike-out Queen
- Selected for the 2006 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award Master List: Mighty Jackie: the Strike-out Queen
2004
- ALA Notable: Mighty Jackie: the Strike-out Queen
- Starred Review, Publishers Weekly: Mighty Jackie: the Strike-out Queen
- Starred Review, Booklist: Mighty Jackie: the Strike-out Queen
- Top Ten Sports Books of the Year, Booklist 2004: Mighty Jackie: the Strike-out Queen
2003
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, CBC: Galen, My Life in Imperial Rome
- LA Times Bestseller List: Max's Log Book
2002
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People: National Council for the Social Studies—CBC Joint Committee: Brave Harriet, Rose's Journal
- Starred Review, Booklist: Brave Harriet
- Books for Youth Top Ten Women's History Booklist: Brave Harriet
- Children's Choices, Children's Book Council: Oh Boy, Amelia
2001
- Society of School Librarians International Honor Books: Hannah's Journal
- Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank St. College: Hannah's Journal
- Sugarman Family Award for Jewish Children's Literature: Hannah's Journal
- National Parenting Publications Gold Award: Amelia's Moving Pictures (Video)
- Parent's Guide Children's Media Award: Amelia's Moving Pictures (Video)
- ALA Notable Video: Amelia's Moving Pictures (Video)
- Starred Review, Publisher's Weekly: Amelia's Moving Pictures (Video)
- Parent's Guide Fiction Award: Oh Boy, Amelia
1999
- Society of School Librarians International Honor Books: Rachel's Journal
- ABC Booksellers Choices: Rachel's Journal
- San Francisco Chronicle Bestseller List: Dr. Amelia's Boredom Survival Guide
1997
- ABA Pick of the List: Amelia Hits the Road
- San Francisco Chronicle Bestseller List: My Notebook with Help from Amelia
1996
- ABC Booksellers Choices: Amelia's Notebook
1995
- ABA Pick of the List: Amelia's Notebook
- Starred Review, Publisher's Weekly: Amelia's Notebook
- Child Study Children's Book of the Year: In America
- Notable Trade Book in Field of Social Studies, Children's Book Council: In America
1990
- Notable Children's Trade Book in Field of Social Studies, National Council of Teachers of Social Studies: Regina's Big Mistake
- Reading Rainbow Featured Book: Regina's Big Mistake
- Storytime Featured Book: Regina's Big Mistake