His novels are known for exploring incredibly important topics like growing up, the struggles of adolescence, and fitting in. But, he wasn’t always a children’s writer; in fact, he had an entire career in editing before getting his first novel published.
He draws inspiration from his childhood experiences.
Like the best authors, Spinelli is known for looking to his youth for inspiration. By drawing from his own past, Spinelli creates characters and narratives that feel authentic and relatable. He’s mentioned that novels like ‘Stargirl’ and ‘Maniac Magee’ were inspired, in part, by people and places he knew growing up.
He originally wanted to be a major league baseball player.
Playing major league baseball was an early passion of Spinelli’s. It was in high school, though, that he came to the realization that this dream was never going to come to fruition.
He won the Newberry Medal in 1991 for his novel ‘Maniac Magee.’
In 1991, Spinelli won the famous Newbery Medal for ‘Maniac Magee.’ This novel is known for addressing issues of racism and homelessness through the eyes of the protagonist, Jeffery Lionel Magee. It’s a story that’s touched readers of all ages and that, at points in recent years, has been banned from some schools.
‘Stargirl’ is a favorite among middle-grade readers.
‘Stargirl’ is Spinelli’s best-known novel. It follows a young boy starting high school and his growing infatuation with Stargirl Caraway, a truly unique girl whose kindness is nearly unlimited. The novel focuses on themes that Spinelli is well-known for, including conformity and growing up. It’s particularly well-loved with pre-teens and teens who are struggling to fit in or feel like they aren’t sure who they are.
The book has even spawned a sequel, ‘Love, Stargirl,’ which continues the Stargirl’s journey.
Before becoming a full-time writer, he worked as an editor in the magazine industry.
When he was starting out in his career, Spinelli worked in the magazine industry. This line of work came naturally as while in college, he worked as the editor of the college’s literary magazine. For the next 20 years, he worked as a writer and editor for a department store magazine. He’d write during his free time, on weekends, and during lunch breaks to engage in a great degree of creativity.
His first novels were written for adults.
When he first tried to get his creative writing published he was focused on writing books for adults. These first attempts were all rejected by publishers. But, his fifth novel, which was also intended for adults, was transformed into a children’s book titled ‘Space Station Seventh Grade.’ It was published in 1982 and was inspired by a time in which one of his children ate some fried chicken that the author was saving. The book is narrated by a seventh-grader named Jason Herkimer.
His love for writing began in high school.
Interestingly, one of his earliest known works was composed when he was in high school, and he wrote a poem about a football game. He was sixteen years old at the time. His father had it published in a local newspaper without telling him.
Throughout his career, Spinelli has written over 30 books.
Since ‘Space Station Seventh Grade’ was published in 1982, Spinelli has written numerous stories and novels. These include ‘Jason and Marceline,’ “Maniac Magee,’ ‘Report to the Principal’s Office,’ ‘There’s a Girl in My Hammerlock,’ ‘The Library Card,’ and ‘Wringer.’
Jerry Spinelli is married to Eileen Spinelli, who is also an author.
Eileen Spinelli and Jerry Spinelli were married in 1977 and since have collaborated a few times on various projects. She started writing for children in 1979 after her own children had become more independent. She’s known today for writing both prose and poetry. Some of her books are also picture books.
The two met while working for a magazine company when Spinelli was working as an editor and she was in circulation. Together they have six children.