Shelley Pearsall is the author of seven acclaimed books for middle grade and teen readers. Her inspiring and thought-provoking novels are used in classrooms nationwide, and her author visits have reached a quarter-million students. She is represented by literary agent Steven Malk of Writer’s House.
Prior to becoming a full-time author, Shelley was a classroom teacher. She has also worked in the education departments of several parks and history museums where she created museum theater events and public programs. She has a B.A. from The College of Wooster and M. Ed., from John Carroll University.
Shelley’s first book, Trouble Don’t Last, was published in 2002 and received the prestigious Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. All of the Above and The Seventh Most Important Thing were named American Library Association Notable Books. Her newest novel is Things Seen From Above (February 2020). Shelley’s books have appeared on numerous state reading award lists and received other honors.
As an author, Shelley is committed to bringing history to life for readers in engaging and compelling ways. Since childhood, she has written stories with diverse characters and voices because she believes in the possibilities of books to build bridges and start conversations. Frequently, her novels feature themes of personal courage and overcoming adversity.
Today, Shelley lives in Ohio’s beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park with her British husband, Mike, and their two shelter cats named Charlie and Lola. When Shelley isn’t writing or visiting schools, she loves to travel the world with Mike in search of new stories and adventures.
5th Grade Teacher, Boston, MA
