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Cynthia Voigt

シンシア・ヴォイグ

Shinshia Voigu

Aliases: Cynthia Irving

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1942-02-25 （Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. (birthplace) → New York City (worked in advertising) → Santa Fe, New Mexico (moved after marriage; taught) → Annapolis, Maryland (taught at The Key School) → Deer Isle, Maine (moved to write full-time)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Teacher
Active Years
1966-

Education

Dana Hall School
Country: United States
Smith College
Country: United States

Awards

Newbery Medal
1983
Work: Dicey's Song
Category: 児童文学
Organization: American Library Association (ALSC/ALA)
Result: 受賞
Margaret A. Edwards Award
1995
Category: 業績賞
Organization: American Library Association (YALSA)
Result: 受賞
Edgar Award
1984
Work: The Callender Papers
Category: ヤングアダルト部門
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: 受賞
Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis
1989
Work: The Runner
Category: ノンフィクション
Organization: Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis
Result: 受賞
Newbery Honor
1984
Work: A Solitary Blue
Category: 児童文学
Organization: American Library Association (ALSC/ALA)
Result: オナー
Phoenix Award (Honor Book)
2003
Work: A Solitary Blue
Category: 回顧賞（オナー）
Organization: Children's Literature Association
Result: オナー
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
1991
Work: On Fortune's Wheel
Category: 選定
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: 選定

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Homecoming

1981 Young adult fiction

Four siblings abandoned by their mother travel to find their estranged grandmother under the leadership of 13-year-old Dicey; themes of family bonds and renewal.

familyabandonmentrenewalcoming of age
Adaptations
  • [Film/TV film] Homecoming (1996 film) (1996)

Dicey's Song

1982 Young adult fiction

Sequel to Homecoming; Dicey and her siblings build a new life with their grandmother while Dicey matures and finds independence.

independencefamilyidentity

A Solitary Blue

1983 Young adult fiction

Focuses on Jeff, a friend of Dicey, exploring family relationships, belonging, and self-discovery.

lonelinessfamilyself-discovery

The Runner

1985 Young adult fiction

A Tillerman-cycle companion that centers on Bullet, following his life and struggles.

coming of agereconciliation with the pastperseverance

Jackaroo

1985 Historical fantasy / Young adult

Set in an imagined 'Kingdom,' this novel examines a Robin Hood–like archetype and the interplay between legend and history.

archetype of herolegend vs historycommunity

On Fortune's Wheel

1990 Historical fantasy / Young adult

A Kingdom-series novel dealing with fate, social status, and individual choices across generations.

fateclasschoices

The Wings of a Falcon

1993 Historical fantasy / Young adult

A Kingdom novel where tradition and individual destiny intersect, focusing on growth and heritage.

heritagetraditionpersonal growth

Elske

1999 Historical fantasy / Young adult

Part of the Kingdom series; follows a young protagonist's journey and ties to their community.

coming of agecommunitytradition

The Callender Papers

1983 Mystery / Young adult

A mystery for young adults that explores relationships and the pursuit of truth.

mysterytruthjustice

Bibliography

  • Homecoming
  • Dicey's Song
  • A Solitary Blue
  • Tell Me If the Lovers Are Losers
  • The Callender Papers
  • Building Blocks
  • Izzy, Willy-Nilly
  • Jackaroo
  • On Fortune's Wheel
  • The Wings of a Falcon
  • Elske
  • Stories about Rosie
  • Good Morning Rosie
  • Bad Girls (series)
  • Davis Farm (Angus and Sadie, Young Fredle, Toaff’s Way)
  • Mister Max (series)
  • Shore Writers' Sampler II
  • Tree by Leaf
  • Glass Mountain
  • The Vandemark Mummy
  • David and Jonathan
  • Orfe
  • When She Hollers
  • Teddy & Co.
  • By Any Name

Adaptations

  • Homecoming (1996 film/TV adaptation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic prose with strong character focusQuiet, subtle psychological descriptionOccasional incorporation of historical and mythic elements
Recurring Motifs
family and bondsabandonment and renewalself-discovery and growthsocial isolationmoral dilemmas

Legacy

Cynthia Voigt is an important writer in young adult literature, praised for her deep character studies and recurring themes of isolated protagonists overcoming adversity. She received the Margaret A. Edwards Award in 1995 and several of her works have received major children's literature honors.

Academic Societies

  • Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
  • American Library Association (ALA)

Archives

  • Library of Congress (authority records)
  • Rutgers University — children's literature resources (archived references)

In Popular Culture

  • 1996 TV/film adaptation of Homecoming

Quotes

  • Her work for young adults over a period of years has provided an authentic voice... Voigt's intense character studies introduce young adults to genuine people often isolated from society.
    Source: Young Adult Library Services Association (Margaret A. Edwards Award citation) (1995)

Trivia

  • Born Cynthia Irving.
  • Attended Smith College (exact graduation year not specified).
  • Taught at The Key School in Annapolis (1966–1971 and later periods).
  • Won the Newbery Medal in 1983 for Dicey's Song.
  • Received the Margaret A. Edwards Award in 1995 for lifetime contribution to YA literature.
  • Official website: https://www.cynthiavoigt.com/
  • Married to Walter Voigt; mother of two, Peter and Jessica.