Avi (pen name) was born Edward Irving Wortis on Dec. 23, 1937 in Brooklyn, N.Y. to an American/Jewish psychiatrist (his father) and social worker (his mother).

This American author of young adult and children’s books has a twin sister, Emily who is responsible for giving him the nickname, Avi when he was only a year old. It has stayed with him through his life.

His mother read to them every night and they went to the public library on Fridays.

He knew at an early age that he wanted to be a writer, his two grandfathers were writers and one grandmother wrote plays.

Avi attended a private high school with a tutor who he credits his success as a writer to since he had a problem called dysgraphia (reverse or misspell words).

He worked as a Librarian for years before depending on writing for his sole support.

His first book, “Things That Sometimes Happen,” was published in 1970.

Avi has written over 80 books, from picture books to graphic novels to historical fiction for young adults.

He has won many awards including the Newberry Award for his book, “Crispin: The Cross of Lead.” Also he received two Newberry Honors, two Horn Book awards and many children’s choice awards.

He travels to schools everywhere to talk to his readers.

He and his wife, Linda and their family live in Denver, Colo.

Avi has a new junior fiction book, “The Secret Sisters,” that is to be published Aug. 29, 2023.

Henryetta Public Library has several of his books available to check out: “A Beginning, a Muddle, and an End;” “Iron Thunder: A Civil Way Novel;” “Poppy;” “Ragweed and Poppy;” “Poppy and Ereth;” “Something Upstairs: A Tale of Ghosts; “Crispin: The Cross of Lead;” “Crispin: At the Edge of the World;” “Crispin: The End of Time” and “The Traitors’ Gate.”

The Library will be closed Saturday, Dec. 24 through Tuesday, Dec. 27 for the Christmas holiday.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas filled with family, fun and love!