Lauren Myracle born May 15, 1969 (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) in North Carolina is an American writer of young-adult fiction. She grew up in Georgia where she attended Trinity School and The Westminster Schools, is the oldest of three sisters, and has three older brothers. Lauren earned a BA in English and Psychology from the University of North Carolina where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
After that, Lauren worked for some time as a middle-school teacher in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and participated in the JET Programme in Japan. She later earned an MA in English from Colorado State University where she taught for two years and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College.
Her debut novel, Kissing Kate, released in 2003 was chosen as one of the ALA Best Books for Young Adults in 2004. Since then, she has written many books for children and young adults including the best-selling Internet Girls books: ttyl (talk to you later), ttfn (ta ta for now), and l8r, g8r (later, gator), and the Winnie Years series.
According to the American Library Association, Lauren's books were the most challenged books of 2009 and 2011. Her books continue to be challenged in school libraries usually for scenes of alleged sexuality, homosexuality, or alcohol use. Children's publisher Scholastic nearly refused to carry Luv Ya Bunches at its national school book fair events since it features lesbian mothers. The initial decision was recanted following a massive internet outcry.
Lauren is highly critical of adults attempting to keep books away from teenagers, believing that kids are smart enough to understand the message in books and learn their lessons. Regarding her own children's reading, she says: "As a mom, I want my kids to read any book they want!" She currently lives with her family in Colorado. Her younger sister, Susan Rebecca White, writes adult fiction.
After that, Lauren worked for some time as a middle-school teacher in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and participated in the JET Programme in Japan. She later earned an MA in English from Colorado State University where she taught for two years and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College.Her debut novel, Kissing Kate, released in 2003 was chosen as one of the ALA Best Books for Young Adults in 2004. Since then, she has written many books for children and young adults including the best-selling Internet Girls books: ttyl (talk to you later), ttfn (ta ta for now), and l8r, g8r (later, gator), and the Winnie Years series.
According to the American Library Association, Lauren's books were the most challenged books of 2009 and 2011. Her books continue to be challenged in school libraries usually for scenes of alleged sexuality, homosexuality, or alcohol use. Children's publisher Scholastic nearly refused to carry Luv Ya Bunches at its national school book fair events since it features lesbian mothers. The initial decision was recanted following a massive internet outcry.
Lauren is highly critical of adults attempting to keep books away from teenagers, believing that kids are smart enough to understand the message in books and learn their lessons. Regarding her own children's reading, she says: "As a mom, I want my kids to read any book they want!" She currently lives with her family in Colorado. Her younger sister, Susan Rebecca White, writes adult fiction.
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