Spanning Time: A Diary Keeper Becomes a Writer

by Elizabeth Yates

Since she first wrote down her thoughts as a young girl in 1917, Elizabeth Yates knew she wanted to become a professional writer. Her struggle to fulfill her dream now gives readers a fascinating look at the tumultuous decades of the early twentieth century.

319 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Elizabeth Yates, author of over forty books for children, was born in New York State on December 6th, 1905. Determined to be an author, she moved to New York City to launch her career. She worked a variety of jobs including reviewing book, writing short stories, and doing research. She moved to England with her husband and wrote her first book, High Holiday, based on her travels in Switzerland with her three children. The family returned to the U.S. in 1939 and settled in New Hampshire. Yates won the Newbery Award in 1951 for her book, Amos Fortune, Free Man, a biography of an African prince who is enslaved and taken to America.

Yates conducted writer's workshops at the University of New Hampshire, the University of Connecticut, and Indiana University. She also served as the Director of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind.

Yates was widowed in 1963. Elizabeth Yates died Sunday at a hospice in Concord, New Hampshire on July 29, 2001 at the age of 95.

Elizabeth Yates' books have been described as "the result of extensive research, a strong underlying belief in God, and a vivid imagination."

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting diary of a passionate writer.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this biographical account of the life of Elizabeth Yates.
I hope my daughter and granddaughters will read it and enjoy it as much as I did.
She lived a full and inspiring life and left us many books to enjoy.