Sharon Draper

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Sharon Draper – Life, Career, and Famous Writings

Learn about Sharon Draper — American educator, award-winning writer of children’s and young adult literature. Discover her biography, major works, themes, awards, and lasting impact.

Introduction

Sharon Mills Draper (born August 21, 1948) is a celebrated American writer and educator whose novels, poetry, and non-fiction works have touched millions of young readers.

Draper is known for giving voice to underrepresented perspectives, particularly centering characters of color, those with disabilities, and young people wrestling with real challenges. Her most famous novel, Out of My Mind, which tells the story of a girl with cerebral palsy, became a New York Times bestseller and has inspired readers, teachers, and adaptations.

In this article, we explore her life and influences, teaching career, major published works, recurring themes, awards, and the legacy she continues to build.

Early Life and Education

• Sharon Draper was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 21, 1948, to Victor D. Mills and Catherine Gachett Mills.

• She grew up as the oldest of three children. From a young age, she was an avid reader, famously borrowing—or even checking out—nearly all the children’s books from her local library by age eleven.

• She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Pepperdine University, and later completed a Master of Arts in English at Miami University of Ohio in 1974.

• Following her studies, Draper began her career as a high school English teacher, eventually teaching in the Cincinnati Public Schools for more than 25 years.

Her formative years as both reader and teacher shaped her strong conviction that literature must serve real lives, especially those of youth facing adversity.

Teaching Career & Transition to Writing

• In her teaching role, Draper was known for demanding excellence and for engaging her students deeply. One of her signature assignments became famously known as “The Draper Paper”: a rigorous research paper assigned to graduating seniors that many found very challenging.

• Over time, Draper became an advocate and speaker on literacy, education, and teaching excellence, traveling and presenting nationally.

• Draper’s transition into writing began in 1990, when a ninth-grade student dared her to “write something.” She submitted a short story, One Small Torch, to an Ebony magazine writing contest—and won first prize, along with publication and a $5,000 award. That event launched her writing career.

• By the year 2000, she retired from full-time teaching to devote more time to writing.

Her dual identity as educator and author has remained central to her mission—to connect with young minds through story and to encourage reading, empathy, and critical thinking.

Major Works & Bibliography

Sharon Draper is prolific. Her works span genres—young adult novels, middle-grade fiction, poetry, non‐fiction, and more.

Here are some highlights:

Trilogies & Series

• Hazelwood Trilogy
   · Tears of a Tiger (1994)  · Forged by Fire (1997)  · Darkness Before Dawn (2001)

• Jericho Trilogy
   · The Battle of Jericho (2003)  · November Blues (2007)  · Just Another Hero (2009)

• Out of My Mind Trilogy / Series
   · Out of My Mind (2010)  · Out of My Heart (2021)  · Out of My Dreams (2024)

Standalone & Other Notables

• Romiette and Julio (1999)

• Double Dutch (2002)

• Copper Sun (2006) – one of her most honored works

• Fire from the Rock (2007)

• Stella by Starlight (2015)

• Blended (2018)

• Panic (2013)

• Poetry collections: Let the Circle Be Unbroken: Collected Poetry for Children and Young Adults (1997) and Buttered Bones (1997)

• Nonfiction works for teachers: Teaching from the Heart: Reflections, Encouragement, and Inspiration (2000) and Not Quite Burned Out but Crispy Around the Edges (2001)

These works have been adapted, translated, and adopted widely in classrooms and reading programs.

Themes & Style

Sharon Draper is admired for her ability to write with honesty, compassion, and realism about issues that many writers shy away from. Some recurring themes in her work:

• Disability & Voice: Perhaps most notably in Out of My Mind, Draper centers characters with disabilities who often are silent or marginalized but possess rich inner lives.

• Race, Identity & Inequality: Draper frequently writes about African American experiences, racial tension, prejudice, and identity. Works like Copper Sun, Fire from the Rock, Romiette and Julio engage race dynamically.

• Trauma, Healing & Resilience: Many of her protagonists endure loss, trauma, abuse, grief or violence, and their arcs involve healing, hope, and reclaiming agency.

• Social Justice & Empathy: Draper’s stories often challenge readers to confront injustice, empathy, and ethical choices.

• Youth Perspective & Authentic Voice: She writes with sensitivity to what young adults feel and think; her characters are believable, flawed, and striving.

Her style tends to be clear, emotionally resonant, and accessible—making serious topics digestible without diluting their weight.

Awards & Honors

Sharon Draper’s contributions to literature and education have been widely recognized:

• Named National Teacher of the Year (1997)

• Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association (2015) for lifetime achievement in young adult literature

• Multiple Coretta Scott King Awards:
   · Forged by Fire winner  · Copper Sun winner  · Several Author Honors for The Battle of Jericho and November Blues

• John Steptoe Award for New Talent (1995) for Tears of a Tiger

• Numerous other recognitions: Milken Educator Award, Ohio Pioneer in Education, Pepperdine Distinguished Alumnus, Duncanson Artist-in-Residence, etc.

• She has also been honored at the White House multiple times and selected as a literary ambassador to countries including China and several nations in Africa.

These honors reflect how Draper’s work bridges education, literature, and social impact.

Legacy & Impact

• Draper’s books are widely used in school curricula, reading programs, and book clubs. They encourage conversation around equity, difference, empathy, and justice.

• She has inspired many educators and writers to see literature as a tool of empowerment, not just entertainment. Her role as teacher-turned-author strengthens her ethos of service.

• Draper’s characters—especially those historically marginalized—resonate with readers who seldom see themselves fully represented in mainstream literature.

• Her body of work continues to expand (e.g. Out of My Dreams published in 2024) and reach new readers globally.

• As a public speaker and advocate, she continues to champion literacy, teachers, and young voices.

In sum, Draper’s impact is both literary and social: she crafts compelling narratives and fosters deeper empathy and awareness.

Lessons from Sharon Draper

1. Speak truth without condescension. Draper handles serious, even painful themes without patronizing her young readers.

2. Diversity matters. Inclusion of varied voices—especially those underrepresented—enriches literature and culture.

3. Educator and author roles can mutually reinforce. Her experience in the classroom deepened her understanding of youth; her writing amplifies that perspective.

4. Never undervalue small beginnings. A dare from a student led to the story that launched her career.

5. Perseverance and voice. Draper persistently writes what she believes in, even if it challenges comfort zones.

6. Stories change lives. Her work shows that a novel can shape empathy, identity, and social consciousness.

Conclusion

Sharon M. Draper is more than a novelist—she is a voice for young people, a bridge between education and literature, and a champion for equity, empathy, and truth. Her stories do not simply entertain; they provoke, console, challenge, and uplift.