Because she is compassionate as well as talented, she accepts. Ultimately, the girl is visited by a white bear who promises to heal Rose's sickly sister if the girl will take a trip with him. Although her mother frets, few others are worried by the prophecy, although it is clear that Rose, with her purple eyes and talent for weaving, is an unusual child. Praising Pattou's 'sympathetic characterizations' as well as the novel's 'fast pacing' and 'well-realized landscape,' Booklist contributor Sally Estes praised Fire Arrow as 'a rousing story that … begs yet another sequel,' while reviewer Victoria Strauss praised Brie as 'an appealing character, entirely believable in her determination and bravery.'Īs its title implies, East is Pattou's romantic retelling of the well-known Norse fable 'East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon.' In a story that, according to a Publishers Weekly writer, 'unfolds … slowly and carefully, luring readers across many miles with the brave and determined' heroine, East finds fifteen-year-old Rose haunted by a prophecy that she would one day be buried under snow and ice. One of Collun's traveling companions, a master archer named Brie, becomes the focus of Fire Arrow, which follows her own quest to avenge the murder of Brie's father. In true epic fantasy fashion, Collun is joined by three fellow travelers and his quest soon involves the future of the entire kingdom of Eirren. In Hero's Song readers meet Collun, a young gardener who leaves his family farm to search for his kidnapped sister, Nessa, and encounters a wealth of obstacles along his path. Spitzer's Garden, a picture book featuring illustrations by Tricia Tusa. In addition to expanding her first novel into the 'Songs of Eirren' series with Fire Arrow, Pattou has also published the highly acclaimed young-adult novel East, as well as Mrs. In 1991 she fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a novelist, publishing the fantasy novel Hero's Song. She also began keeping a writer's notebook, an idea gleaned from a reading of Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. SIDELIGHTS: Edith Pattou was inspired to become a writer after reading C.

Spitzer's Garden, illustrated by Tricia Tusa, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 2001. Hero's Song, Harcourt ( San Diego, CA), 1991.įire Arrow (sequel to Hero's Song), Harcourt ( San Diego, CA), 1998. Agent-c/o Author Mail, Harcourt International, 6277 Sea Harbor Dr., Orlando, FL 32887.ĪWARDS, HONORS: Best Book for Young Adults citation, American Library Association, 2003, for East. Hobbies and other interests: Attending plays and films, reading, long walks, travel.ĪDDRESSES: Home-Columbus, OH.

PERSONAL: Married husband a professor children: one daughter.

Edith pattou