LATTA, Sara L. 1960-

PERSONAL:

Born December 11, 1960, in Harper, KS; daughter of Norman (a farmer) and Joyce (a homemaker) Latta; married Tony Liss (a physicist); children: Alison and Caitlin (twins); Eli. Education: University of Kansas, B.A., 1983; University of Chicago, M.S., 1985; Lesley University, M.F.A., 2006. Hobbies and other interests: Baking, running, reading, gardening.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Champaign, IL. Agent—Barbara Markowitz, P.O. Box 41709, Los Angeles, CA 90041. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Science writer and children's book author. University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL, science writer and editor, 1986-88; American Oil Chemists' Society, staff science writer, 1990-93; freelance science writer and author, 1993—.

MEMBER:

Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators (Illinois chapter), National Association of Science Writers, Authors Guild.

WRITINGS:

Allergies, Enslow Publishers (Springfield, NJ), 1998.

Food Poisoning and Foodborne Diseases, Enslow Publishers (Berkeley Heights, NJ), 1999.

Dealing with the Loss of a Loved One, Chelsea House (Philadelphia, PA), 2003.

The Good, the Bad, the Slimy: The Secret Life of Microbes, Enslow Publishers (Berkeley Heights, NJ), 2006.

Stella Brite and the Dark Matter Mystery, illustrated by Meredith Johnson, Charlesbridge (Watertown, MA), 2006.

What Happens in Fall?, Enslow Publishers (Berkeley Heights, NJ), 2006.

What Happens in Spring?, Enslow Publisehrs (Berkeley Heights, NJ), 2006.

What Happens in Summer?, Enslow Elementary (Berkeley Heights, NJ), 2006.

What Happens in Winter?, Enslow Publishers (Berkeley Heights, NJ), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS:

Sara L. Latta once commented: "I grew up on a farm in Kansas, and I was very much influenced by the animals and the landscape around me. I read all the time—I was always teased for being a bookworm—but I had no idea that I might become an author. I thought I might become a veterinarian, a doctor, or a scientist. Science won out, although I continued to love reading and writing. Now, science writing allows me to combine my interest in science with my passion for words. In turn, I believe my fiction writing benefits from the scientist's attention to detail, as well as a love for research (whatever the topic!)"

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2005, review of Stella Brite and the Dark Matter Mystery, p. 1324.

School Library Journal, November, 1999, review of Food Poisoning and Foodborne Diseases, p. 172; April, 2006, Kristine M. Casper, review of Stella Brite and the Dark Matter Mystery, p. 110; December, 2006, Tracey Bell, review of What Happens in Spring?

ONLINE

Eclectica Web site,http://www.eclectica.org/ (October-November, 2006), Colleen Mondor, review of Stella Bright and the Dark Matter Mystery.

Greenbay Press-Gazette Online,http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/ (October 10, 2006), Jean Peerenboom, "Science Writer Finds Niche in Children's Books."

National Science Teachers Association Web site, http://www.www2.nsta.org/ (October 20, 2006), Judy Kraus, review of What Happens in Spring?

Sara L. Latta Home Page,http://www.saralatta.com (October 10, 2006).