Patricia Hruby Powell used to be a dancer who spoke in her dances, then she became a storyteller who dances in her stories. She writes lyrical non-fiction and novels-in-verse for elementary, middle grade, and young adult readers and hopes that her books, whether about civil rights issues, the world of dance, or nature, help readers build empathy, by presenting the underdog who survives and prevails.
Her books include Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker, a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, and a Bologna Ragazzi Honor Book; Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case; Lift As You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker; and Struttin' with Some Barbecue: Lil Hardin Armstrong Becomes the First Lady of Jazz, as well as books forthcoming from Sourcebooks, Chronicle, and Bloomsbury.
Patricia grew up outside Chicago where she played freely (even wildly) in farm country and construction sites as the land was converted to suburbia. She received degrees in dance from University of Illinois (UIUC), Temple University, and the London Contemporary Dance School, and she received an MS in Library Science at UIUC. As an adult, she’s lived in London, New York, Winnipeg, Philadelphia, and now Champaign IL—all to dance.
She toured with her dance-music theater company, One Plus One, worldwide, speaking in English, Spanish, and French as was necessary. When not writing (or dancing!), she practices Yoga and Pilates, walks in nature, hangs out with friends, and attends the many concerts available in a university town.
Patricia Hruby Powell is proudly represented by Carter Hasegawa (carter@tugeau2.com).