Biography of janet s wong awards

Janet S. Wong is an Asian-American children's poet whose works employ a variety of voices and poetic styles to explore her own heritage. Born in the United States, Wong is the daughter of a Korean-born mother and a Chinese-born father, and all three cultures have found a place in her books. In a review of the 1994 work Good Luck Gold and Other Poems in Voice of Youth Advocates, Anthony Manna referred to Wong as "a fresh new talent" who has "distinctive gifts as a consciously cultural poet."

Good Luck Gold is a collection of forty-two poems told from the point of view of Asian-American children, offering insight into their lives. Written in rhyme, free verse, haiku, and other styles, the pieces explore everyday subjects such as food and shopping, as well as deeper topics, including racism, illness, and divorce. Several reviewers expressed the overall impression that Good Luck Gold is a powerful, positive contribution to A

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Wong, Janet S. 1962-

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(Full name Janet Siu Wong) American children's poet and picture book writer.

INTRODUCTION

Wong is an Asian American children's poet whose works employ a variety of voices and poetic styles to explore her own heritage. Born in the United States, Wong is the daughter of a Korean-born mother and a Chinese-born father—all three cultures have found a place in her works. Although she was an adult before she came to appreciate poetry, Wong became such a fervent advocate of the form that she gave up her career as a corporate lawyer to become a children's poet. Her verse has won praise for its unique structure and phrasing as well as its variety of thematic material—typically explorations of cultural heritage and everyday life. In an interview with Something about the Author, Wong commented that, "I like poems that are not afraid to talk about painful things. I like poems that make you

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Janet S. Wong (1962-) Biography

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Awards, Honors, Writings, SidelightsPersonal, Addresses, Career, Work in Progress

Born 1962, in Los Angeles, CA; Education: University of California—Los Angeles, B.A. (summa cum laude), 1983; Yale University, J.D., 1987.

Agent—c/o Author Mail, Simon & Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, fräsch 10020.

Attorney in Los Angeles, CA, 1987-91; writer in Los Angeles and Medina, WA, 1991—. Writer-in-residence, University of Southern California Writing planerat arbete , 1995; visiting author, Singapore Society for Reading and Literacy, 1997. Public speaker and performer in Los Angeles and Medina, 1994—. Arbitrator/mediator, Arts Arbitration and Mediation Services, 1989-95.

Hide and Seek, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine, for Harcourt Brace (Orlando, FL), publication expected in 2005.

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