Elaine Lobl Konigsburg, known as E.L. Konigsburg (February 10, 1930–April 19, 2013) was a prolific American writer and illustrator of books for children and middle grade readers.

In 1967, she published her first children’s book, Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth. That same year, her second book, The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, was also published. (Photo above right by Ron Kunzman)

E.L. Konigsburg’s first book won the 1968 Newbery Honor, and her second won the 1968 Newbery Medal. Though not written at the same time, both were published the same year due to an interesting turn of events.

When school libraries received a substantial increase in funding, an enormous backlog of books was sent to the printing presses. After catching up with this backlog, the publisher printed both of Konigsburg’s books, making it possible for her to have two titles published in the same year.

As it turned out, both titles made the Newbery Medal list: a winner and a runner-up. Konigsburg was the only author to have ever achieved that milestone. In 1997 she won the Newbery for her 13th book, The View from Saturday.

With this award, Konigsburg joined Joseph Krumgold, Lois Lowry, Katherine Paterson, Elizabeth George Speare, and Kate DiCamillo as the only authors to win more than one Newbery. The Newbery Medal is an award granted each year by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children’s book.

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Early life and background

Elaine Lobl was born in New York on February 10, Read More→