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Birth
Edward Irving Wortis (Avi) was born in New York City to Joseph Wortis and Helen Wortis. He has a twin sister named Emily who named him Avi at a young age. The name just stuck and he says that it's the only one he uses! -
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The Early Years
He was raised in Brooklyn and grew up in a family of readers, writers, and artists, He remembers that his mother would read to him every night. The reason why he writes books is because he enjoyed reading them as a child. As a child, he says that he was shy, loved to read and "play games of imagination". He wanted to be a airplane designer, then a biologist, and later a Broadway playwright. -
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School Years
Avi describes himself as a bad student. In elementary school he did well in science, but was not a very skilled writer, The author failed all of his high school courses so therefore, his parents put him in a small school which focused on reading and writing. It didn't help much though. He had symptoms of dyslexia and dysgraphia which caused him to have poor spelling and reversed letters. His work was commented on being "sloppy" and messy overall. -
Decison
When he was a senior, he decides to become an author. He wanted to prove that he could write. -
History
He recieves a B.A. in history in the University of Wisconsin. -
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Library Days
He was a librarian for 25 years which helped his writing. He worked at the New York Public Library's Theatre Collection. He was transfered in 1970 to Trenton State College's library. -
Drama
He recieves a M.A. in drama in the University of Wisconsin. -
Graduation and Marriage
Avi graduates from the University of Wisconsin and marries a weaver named Joan Gabriner. -
Library Schience
He went back to school for the last time at Columbia University. Avi recieved his M.S. in library science. -
Things That Sometimes Happen
He publishes first book. -
Christopher Award
Avi wins Christopher Award for Encounter at Easton. -
Divorce
Avi and Joan divorce. -
Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award
He wins Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award for The Fighting Ground. -
Focus and Concentration
The author stops teaching classes as an ssistant professor. Then, he started to concentrate on on writing and writing only. He began to write for the Library Journal and School Library Journal. -
1st Newbery Award
He wins Newbery Honor for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. -
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
Wins the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle -
Second Newbery Award
He wins Newbery Honor for Nothing But the Truth. -
3rd Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor
He wins the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor for Nothing But the Truth. -
2nd Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
He wins the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Poppy. -
Newbery Medal
He wins Newbery Medal for his fiftieth book, Crispin:The Cross of Lead. -
Latest Book
He published a third book in the "Crispin" series titled "Crispin: At the End of Time". -
Second and Third Marriage
Avi marries Coppelia Kahn which also ended. He then met his last wife, Linda C. Wright. He is the father of six children which include Kevin Wortis, Shaun Wortis, Hayden Kahn, Gabriel Kahn (step-child), Robert Wortis, Catherine Wortis, and Jack Spina. -
Present Life
As of now, he lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife, Linda and children who are adults. He has written books for many different types of readers in many different genres. Many people say, "You name it, Avi's written it." In all, the amazing author has published 71 books.
