Overview

Laurie Friedman is an author of many award-winning picture books, chapter book, and novels for children and Tweens. Laurie writes the popular Mallory McDonald chapter book series for 7-10 year olds. Published by Lerner Publishing Group, the series currently includes 20 titles. Laurie has a new journal format series for older readers entitled, The Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair. The first book in the series, Can You Say Catastrophe? will be released Fall 2013. Laurie has also written many rhyming picture books.

Early Life

Laurie Friedman was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas on January 28, 1964. She grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and was the oldest of three girls. As a young girl, Laurie spent many hours under the magnolia tree in her back yard writing stories. She attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana where she studied literature and the Sorbonne in Paris, France. Laurie was a free-lance writer for a variety of newspapers and magazines. She also spent many years working in the advertising industry. She lives in Miami, Florida, has two children, ages 17 and 20, and is a frequent speaker at schools across the country.

Inspiration

Laurie Friedman says that growing up she always liked reading realistic fiction and still does. “It makes me feel better when I read about a character going through something similar to what I’m going through, and seeing how that character handles the situation.” As an author, nothing makes her happier than when she receives letters from fans telling her that they can really identify with her characters. Growing up, she always kept a journal and often writes about the things that happened to her when she was younger. She also likes to write about things that happened to her own children when they were the ages of her characters.

Hobbies

In addition to writing books, Laurie Friedman loves to read, dance, hike, bake, watch movies, go to the beach and spend time with her family.

Share This