McAllister, Margaret I. 1956–

PERSONAL: Born August, 1956 in Tynemouth, England. Education: Newcastle Polytechnic, degree in education and English. Politics: "Center." Religion: Christian. Hobbies and other interests: Theater, dance, history.

ADDRESSES: Home—Yorkshire, England. Agent—Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency, Thorley Manor Farm, Thorley, Yarmouth, Isle of Eight PO41 0SJ, England.

CAREER: Buddle Arts Centre, Wallsend, England, teacher of dance and drama. Also worked as teacher of creative writing, substitute teacher, and teacher of children excluded from school.

AWARDS, HONORS: German Heidelberg Leander, for Urchin of the Riding Stars.

WRITINGS:

FOR CHILDREN

A Friend for Rachel, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 1997, published as The Secret Mice, 2002.

Hold My Hand and Run, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 1999, Dutton (New York, NY), 2000.

Never Wash Your Hair, illustrated by Tim Archbold, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 1999.

Ghost at the Window, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2000, published as Fire Lion, 2000.

The Worst of the Vikings, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2000.

The Mean Dream Wonder Machine, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2000.

The Doughnut Dilemma, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2000.

The Octave of Angels, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2001, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (Grand Rapids, MI), 2002.

My Guinea-Pig Is Innocent, illustrated by Tim Archbold, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2001.

Wimmer, illustrated by Maureen Bradley, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2001.

The Jam Street Puzzle, illustrated by Tony Sumpter, Oxford University Press (Oxford, England), 2002.

Urchin of the Riding Stars, illustrated by Omar Rayyan, Hyperion Books for Children (New York, NY), 2005.

The Magic Porridge Pot, illustrated by Peter Utton, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

Tromso the Troll, illustrated by Steve Cox, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2006.

Urchin and the Heartstone, Hyperion Books for Children (New York, NY), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS: Margaret I.McAllister once commented: "Why am I writer? You may as well ask why I'm not a brain surgeon. Writing is the only thing I'm any good at (apart from baking scones and having babies, which aren't really ways to make a living). I've always made up stories, since before I was old enough to write them down. Aspiring writers sometimes feel discouraged because they think you have to be brainy to succeed. I'm not! I just like words and stories.

"I suppose I write about the things that make an impression on me—ancient churches with their candlelit festivals, and the history of the north of England, for example. Writing is a way of immersing myself in these things and inviting the reader in, too.

"For me, the mark of a really good children's book is that you can enjoy it at any age. If you can fall in love with a book as a child, and come back to it as an adult without feeling patronized or uneasy, it has strength. I could go on reading C.S. Lewis and Lucy Boston forever."

Recently McAllister added: "I write because I can't help it. Ideas come from everywhere, but some of them are stronger than others. These are the ones that live to become books. I write everything by hand with a special pen, then put it onto the computer and revise it two or three times. Between the second and third drafts I leave the book alone and don't look at it. That way I can be detached when I come to look at it again.

"I'd love to be an early morning person, but I'm afraid I'm a lost cause. I can work long into the night, though."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 1, 2002, review of Ghost at the Window, p. 1459.

Books for Keeps, May, 1997, review of A Friend for Rachel, p. 24; July, 1999, review of Hold My Hand and Run, p. 26; March, 2001, review of Ghost at the Window, p. 23.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September, 2000, review of Hold My Hand and Run, p. 29; June, 2002, review of Ghost at the Window, p. 373.

Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2000, review of Hold My Hand and Run, p. 717.

Publishers Weekly, September 12, 2005, review of Urchin of the Riding Stars, p. 72.

School Librarian, August, 1997, review of A Friend for Rachel, p. 158; spring, 2005, Joan Nellist, review of The Life Shop, p. 35.

School Library Journal, August, 2002, Beth L. Meister, review of Ghost at the Window, p. 194.

Voice of Youth Advocates, August, 2002, review of Ghost at the Window; February, 2006, Teresa Copeland, review of Urchin of the Riding Stars, p. 500.