GOGOL, Sara 1948-

PERSONAL: Born June 4, 1948, in Chicago, IL; daughter of Sam (a teacher) and Rose (a teacher; maiden name, Edelstein) Gogol. Education: University of Illinois, B.A., 1971; Portland State University, M.A. Politics: "Left-leaning democrat." Religion: Jewish.

ADDRESSES: Home—Portland, OR. Office—c/o Author Mail, Lerner Publications Co., 241 1st Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN 55401. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Portland Community College, Portland, OR, instructor in English. Formerly taught English as second language.

AWARDS, HONORS: First prize in nonfiction, Kay Snow Writing Contest, 1991, for "A Bridge across the River."

WRITINGS:

Vatsana's Lucky New Year, Lerner (Minneapolis, MN), 1992.

The Message Writer, Royal Fireworks Press (Unionville, NY), 1996.

A Mien Family, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1996.

Playing in a New League: The Women of the American Basketball League's First Season, Masters Press (Indianapolis, IN), 1998.

Katy Steding: Pro-Basketball Pioneer, Lerner Publications (Minneapolis, MN), 1998.

Hard Fought Victories: Women Coaches Making a Difference, Wish Publishing (Indianapolis, IN), 2002.

SIDELIGHTS: Sara Gogol told CA: "I've been writing about fifteen years—stories, articles, story-like essays, novels for children. I'm 'hooked' on writing, also on reading. I read mysteries, nonfiction, biographies, assorted novels, many books for children, etc.

"Other interests include hiking, kayaking, dog training, and gardening. My two dogs, a border terrier and a golden retriever, enjoy outings to the parks with me. We've all adapted to the frequent rain in Oregon.

"I'm a strong opponent of any form of censorship, and I support strong rights protection for everyone. I like to see books available that deal with the diversity of human experience both within the country and worldwide. I'm pleased with the current interest in multicultural children's books."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, February 15, 2002, David Pitt, review of Hard Fought Victories: Women Coaches Making a Difference, p. 983.

Library Journal, March 15, 2002, Kathy Ruffle, review of Hard Fought Victories, p. 87.

Publishers Weekly, December 14, 1992, review of Vatsana's Lucky New Year, p. 57.

School Library Journal, February, 1993, Diane S. Marton, review of Vatsana's Lucky New Year, p. 93; January, 1997, Linda Greengrass, review of A Mien Family, p. 125; December, 1998, Bard Lawlor, review of Katy Steding: Pro Basketball Pioneer, p. 136.*