E. L. Konigsburg
E.L. Konigsburg
Full Name and Common Aliases
E.L. Konigsburg was born Elaine Lobl on December 10, 1930, in New York City. She is often referred to as E.L. Konigsburg, with "Konigsburg" being her married surname.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: December 10, 1930
Died: February 30, 2013 (Note: February only has 28 or 29 days; the date of death is often reported as March 1)
Nationality and Profession(s)
E.L. Konigsburg was an American author, best known for writing children's literature. Her work spans a wide range of genres, including novels, short stories, and poetry.
Early Life and Background
Elaine Lobl grew up in New York City with her parents, Morris and Frances Lobl. She showed an early interest in art and language, which would later become the foundation for her writing career. Konigsburg's father was a musician, and she often credited him with instilling in her a love of storytelling.
Major Accomplishments
Konigsberg won numerous awards throughout her career, including two Newbery Medals (1969 and 1997) for her novels "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" and "The View from Saturday", respectively. She was also a National Book Award finalist in 1971.
Notable Works or Actions
Konigsburg's most notable works include:
"From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" (1967) - a novel about two children who run away from home and hide in a museum, where they learn to appreciate art.
"The View from Saturday" (1996) - a novel about a group of gifted students who form a quiz team and learn valuable lessons about teamwork and friendship.
Konigsburg's writing often explored themes of childhood, family, and social issues. Her stories were known for their unique blend of humor, wit, and insight into the human experience.
Impact and Legacy
E.L. Konigsburg's impact on children's literature cannot be overstated. She helped to shape the genre with her innovative storytelling and memorable characters. Her work continues to inspire new generations of readers and writers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Konigsburg is widely quoted and remembered for her insightful and often humorous observations on childhood, family, and social issues. Her writing has been praised for its wit, intelligence, and sensitivity. She remains a beloved figure in children's literature, and her work continues to be widely read and studied today.
**As an author, E.L. Konigsburg left behind a legacy of storytelling that is both timeless and enduring. Her contributions to the world of children's literature will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.
Quotes by E. L. Konigsburg
Happiness is excitement that has found a settling down place, but there is always a little corner that keeps flapping around.
Before you can be anything, you have to be yourself. That's the hardest thing to find.
Lying in bed just before going to sleep is the worst time for organized thinking; it is the best time for free thinking. Ideas drift like clouds in an undecided breeze, taking first this direction and then that.
I am convinced that not only do children need children's books to fine-tune their brains, but our civilization needs them if we are not going to unplug ourselves from our collective past.
Because way down deep they know that civilized people have to preserve rare birds.
It is sometimes necessary to use unnecessary words like thank you and please just to make life prettier.
By the time they get to 6th grade honor roll students won't risk making a mistake, and sometimes to be successful, you have to risk making mistakes.
The way I see it, the difference between farmers and suburbanites is the difference in the way we feel about dirt. To them, the earth is something to be respected and preserved, but dirt gets no respect. A farmer likes dirt. Suburbanites like to get rid of it. Dirt is the working layer of earth, and dealing with dirt is as much a part of farm life as dealing with manure. Neither is user-friendly but both are necessary.
When you hug someone, you learn something else about them. An important something else.
How can you know what is missing if you’ve never met it? You must know of something’s existence before you can notice its absence.