Sharon Draper

Sharon Draper is an inspiration to many because, not only has she worked hard to earn recognition, but her writings have touched and spoken to young people all over the world. Her books provide consolation to young teens that may be dealing with the same issues she writes about.

She was born on April 11, 1952 in Cleveland and lived with her father, Victor Mills, a head waiter, and his wife, Catherine Mills, an advertising manager, along with two younger siblings. Sharon and her siblings were excellent students because their parents encouraged them throughout school, and their example made her decide to become a teacher. In 1971, she graduated from Pepperdine University, in California, where she majored in English. She later earned her Masters at Miami University (Ohio) in 1974. That same year she married Larry Draper, had four kids, and began teaching at public schools in Cincinnati. Her success began, in 1991, when a student gave her writing contest application from "Ebony" magazine. She entered a piece called "One Small Torch" which won her first place. After that she began to write in earnest, believing that she could touch her students. "I couldn't find anything they really liked to read, so I started writing for them myself" (Draper 2010). Several award-winning books later, she now is a motivational speaker and travels the world to teach students.

Being a writer and a teacher have been accomplished careers for her. As a teacher she became one of the first 150 teachers to get a National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards in 1995 and she was named National Teacher of the Year in 1997. Her books have won several awards, such as Tears of a Tiger, which was named the American Library Association's Best Book for Young Adults, and the Coretta Scott King Genesis Award. Being so successful helped her win the YWCA Career Women of Achievement Award and she holds the Pepperdine University Distinguished Alumnus Award. she has lived a fulfilled life and still is working for the Board of the National Commission on Teaching and America's future. She now travels the country to schools teaching any student she meets, and still finds time to write.

Sharon's books have inspired many young adults and kids because they talk about the truth and help with real life scenarios. Among her books are "Romiette and Julio", "Double Dutch", "Forged by Fire", and "Tears of a Tiger". All of these books cover problems that young people may have to deal with in their lives. "Romiette and Julio" is about interracial dating and gang life and "Double Dutch takes on illiteracy and child abandonment. "Forged by Fire" goes through domestic violence situations that affect siblings harshly. Some of the most common issues for teens include drunk driving and death of friends, which "Tears of a Tiger" explores. Sharon once explained why she wrote these types of books: "Perhaps reading about the difficulties of others will act like an armor and protect my readers from the personal tragedies of their own lives," (Draper 2010). Draper's books have made such a difference in teen's lives and inspired them to change how they live.

Sharon Draper is a hero because she writes to inspire young people and is an inspiration herself, through winning so many awards. She believes young people need something that can entertain them as well as help them with life's setbacks. "I wanted to write something that young people could read that would be contemporary and exciting" (Draper 2010). Draper has succeeded in her dream to become a great teacher and that led her to become the writer that she is today.