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E. L. Konigsburg

イレイン・ローブル・コニグズバーグ

E. L. Konigsburg

Pen Names: E. L. Konigsburg（Pen name used for publications (public name)）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1930-02-10 （New York City, U.S.）
Died
2013-04-19 （Falls Church, Virginia, U.S.） age 83
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Judaism
Residence History
Farrell, Pennsylvania → Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania → Jacksonville, Florida → Port Chester, New York → Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida → North Florida (coastal residence in later life)

Career

Occupations
Children's author, Illustrator
Active Years
1967-2013
Memberships
Phi Beta Kappa (honorary member)
Nominations
2006 U.S. nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award

Education

Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University)
Chemistry / Department of Chemistry
Degree: 学士
Period: 1948–1952
Year of Graduation: 1952
Country: United States
First member of her family to earn a college degree. Institution later became known as Carnegie Mellon University.
University of Pittsburgh
Graduate studies in chemistry (attended) / Department of Chemistry (graduate)
Period: 1952–1954
Country: United States
Attended graduate chemistry studies; completion status unknown.

Awards

Newbery Medal
1968
Work: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Organization: American Library Association (Association for Library Service to Children)
Result: Winner
Newbery Medal
1997
Work: The View from Saturday
Organization: American Library Association (Association for Library Service to Children)
Result: Winner
Newbery Honor
1968
Work: Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth
Organization: American Library Association (Association for Library Service to Children)
Result: Honor
Phoenix Award
1999
Work: Throwing Shadows
Organization: Children's Literature Association
Result: Winner
William Allen White Children's Book Award
1970
Work: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Organization: William Allen White Award organization
Result: Winner
Phi Beta Kappa (Honorary membership)
1995
Organization: Carnegie Mellon University
Result: Honorary membership
Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award (Carnegie Mellon University)
1999
Organization: Carnegie Mellon University
Result: Recipient

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth

1967 Children's literature (chapter book)

A story about a girl new to a school, exploring friendship and self-discovery with humor and an insightful look at children's inner lives.

Coming of ageFriendshipIdentity
Adaptations
  • [Television movie] Jennifer and Me (1973)

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

1967 Children's literature (mystery)

Siblings run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and unravel a mystery, exploring independence and curiosity.

AdventureCuriosityIndependence
Adaptations
  • [Film] From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1973 film) (1973)
  • [Television film] From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1995 TV film) (1995)
Translations

Father's Arcane Daughter

1976 Children's / Young adult

A story about family relationships and a girl's maturation; cited by the author as one of her favorites.

FamilyGrowing upParent-child relationships
Adaptations
  • [Television movie] Caroline? (Hallmark Hall of Fame) (1990)

The View from Saturday

1996 Children's literature (school story)

Follows children from diverse backgrounds who form a team and grow together, told from multiple perspectives. Won the 1997 Newbery Medal.

CooperationDiversityPerspective

Silent to the Bone

2000 Young adult (mystery)

A mystery about a boy who becomes silent, exploring adolescent conflict and understanding.

SilenceAdolescenceMisunderstanding and understanding

The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place

2004 Children's literature

A story about neighbors, family ties, history and memory.

CommunityMemoryFamily

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World

2007 Young adult

A young protagonist confronts past secrets and encounters the complexities of the adult world in an adventurous tale.

MysteryPastComing of age

A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver

1973 Historical novel (children/YA)

A historical novel featuring Eleanor of Aquitaine as focal character.

HistoryPowerFemale perspective

Bibliography

  • Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth (1967)
  • From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1967)
  • About the B'nai Bagels (1969)
  • (George) (1970)
  • Altogether, One at a Time (short stories, 1971)
  • A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver (1973)
  • The Second Mrs. Giaconda (1975)
  • Father's Arcane Daughter (1976)
  • Throwing Shadows (short stories, 1979)
  • Journey to an 800 Number (1982)
  • Up from Jericho Tel (1986)
  • Samuel Todd's Book of Great Colors (1990)
  • Samuel Todd's Book of Great Inventions (1991)
  • Amy Elizabeth Explores Bloomingdale's (1992)
  • T-Backs, T-Shirts, COAT, and Suit (1993)
  • TalkTalk: A Children's Book Author Speaks to Grown-ups (lectures, 1995)
  • The View from Saturday (1996)
  • Silent to the Bone (2000)
  • The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place (2004)
  • The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World (2007)

Adaptations

  • From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler: 1973 film (and later TV adaptations)
  • Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth...: 1973 television movie 'Jennifer and Me'
  • The Second Mrs. Giaconda: 1976 play production (Jacksonville, FL)
  • Father's Arcane Daughter: 1990 television movie 'Caroline?'

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear, intelligent proseMultiple perspectives that respect children's viewpointsBlend of humor and incisive insight
Recurring Motifs
Search for identityDepiction of children's competenceRelativity of perspective

Health

  • Stroke (complications leading to death)
    2013年（発症〜死去）
    Suffered a stroke in 2013 and died from complications.

Legacy

E. L. Konigsburg left a significant legacy in children's literature, being one of the few authors to win two Newbery Medals. Known for portraying children as active knowers, her works have been widely read, adapted for film and television, and translated.

Museums

  • Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU (related exhibits/programs) Florida (details unspecified)

Academic Societies

  • Phi Beta Kappa (honorary member)

Archives

  • The Elaine Konigsburg papers (held by University of Pittsburgh; digital finding aid available)

In Popular Culture

  • Adaptations of major works for film and television have cemented her status as a classic children's author

Quotes

  • The kids I write about are capable knowers of what goes on in their own minds, homes, and the wider world they inhabit.
    Source: Scholastic Teachers interview (summarized)

Trivia

  • In 1968 she won the Newbery Medal while another of her books was named runner-up the same year — a unique occurrence.
  • The span between her two Newbery Medals (1968 and 1997) is 29 years, the longest for one author.
  • She originally majored in chemistry and later moved into teaching, painting, and writing.
  • She illustrated some of her own books and created picture books featuring her grandchildren.