July 2, 1919 was the birth date of Jean Craighead George in Washington, D.C.

Born into a family of lovers of nature this formed her life as they camped out, climbed trees, studied owls and edible plants and the great outdoors.

Jean began writing in the third grade, writing over 100 books before her death at the age of 92. She met her husband during World War II, married four months later and had three children.

Her love of nature continued throughout her life, even with her own family climbing mountains, floating rivers and walking through deserts.

When returning home, Jean would write more books for children about nature.

Children and adults alike loved her books, but she was best known for “My Side of the Mountain,” published in 1959 and “Julie of the Wolves,” published in 1972.

In February 2016, Jean was inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame.

She loved writing and did so until four days before her death when she finished “The Cougar of Flat Creek.”

Jean died May 15, 2012 at Valhalla, New York.

Henryetta Public Library has several of her books (B-2) A Special Gift for Grammy; (JF) Ice Whale; (JNF) The Buffalo are Back and (YAF) The Cry of the Crow, to name a few.

We wish everyone a happy and safe 4th!

The library will be closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 in observance of the 4th of July holiday.