Andrea Cheng
Andrea Cheng was a Hungarian-American author of children's books and poet, best known for her Anna Wang Series of middle grade novels and Shanghai Messenger. She has written over 25 books, spanning genres like Picture books, young adult, Chapter books, non-fiction, and poetry.
Personal life
Cheng was born in El Paso, Texas. She was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the child of Hungarian immigrant parents who originally came from Australia and emigrated in 1954. Cheng was raised in a predominantly African-American neighborhood and was the youngest of three siblings. She grew up speaking both English and Hungarian.She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Teaching English as a Second language from Cornell University in 1979. After graduation, she apprenticed to become a bookbinder and studied French and taught English in Switzerland. After she returned from Switzerland, she studied at Cornell University to receive her master's degree in Linguistics.
In addition to writing books, she taught English as a Second Language as well as Children's Literature at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.
Death
Cheng died of breast cancer on December 26, 2015, at the age of 58, after a long illness. Two of her manuscripts were published posthumously.Works
Picture books
Grandfather Counts When the Bees Fly Home, illustrated by Joline McFadden Anna the Bookbinder, illustrated by Ted Rand Goldfish and Chrysanthemums Shanghai Messenger, illustrated by Ed Young The Lemon Sisters, illustrated by Tatiana Mai-Wyss Tire Mountain, illustrated by Ken Condon Only One Year, co-authored with Alma Ada, illustrated by Nicole Wong- Bees in the City, illustrated by Sarah McMenemy
Young adult
Marika- The Bear Makers Brushing Mom's Hair, illustrated by Nicole Wong
Chapter books
- Only One Year, illustrated by Nicole Wong
Middle grade
The Key Collection, illustrated by Yangsook Choi Honeysuckle House The Lace Dowry Eclipse Where the Steps Were Where Do You Stay? Anna Wang Series- # The Year of the Garden, illustrated by Patrice Barton
- # The Year of the Book, illustrated by Abigail Halpin
- # The Year of the Baby, illustrated by Patrice Barton
- # The Year of the Fortune Cookie, illustrated by Patrice Barton
- # The Year of the Three Sisters, illustrated by Patrice Barton
- ''Etched in Clay: The Life of Dave, Enslaved Potter and Poet''
Non-fiction
- ''Lets Make a Present: Easy to Make Gifts for Friends and Relatives of All Ages''
Awards
Won
- 2005–2006 Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature for Shanghai Messenger
- 2014 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for Children's Poetry for ''Etched in Clay''