Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds (1933-…), an American author, became known for her children’s books about the problems young people face growing up. Her books deal with such sensitive subjects as death, mental illness, and religious faith. Naylor has also written lighter books for children, including mysteries, fantasies, and stories about the supernatural. In addition, she has written nonfiction books about family and peer relationships and about the craft of writing. By the early 2000’s, Naylor had written more than 130 books.
Naylor’s novel Shiloh (1991) won the 1992 Newbery Medal, an annual award given to the best children’s book written by an American. The novel tells about a young West Virginia boy who adopts a dog named Shiloh after the animal had run away from its abusive master. Naylor wrote three sequels, Shiloh Season (1996), Saving Shiloh (1997), and A Shiloh Christmas (2015).
Naylor has written a series of popular novels about a high-spirited girl named Alice, who must cope with the death of her mother as she matures through her teenage years. The series began with The Agony of Alice (1985). It continued into the 2000’s with such stories as The Grooming of Alice (2000), Starting with Alice (2002), Patiently Alice (2003), Lovingly Alice (2004), Alice on Board (2012), and Now I’ll Tell You Everything (2013). In A String of Chances (1982), a girl finds her religious faith shaken by the death of a cousin’s baby. The Keeper (1986) deals with mental illness. Night Cry (1984) is a serious mystery. Emily’s Fortune (2010) is a Western adventure story.
Naylor wrote two “Witch” trilogies (1975-1978 and 1990-1992) that deal with a girl who suspects people around her of witchcraft. The “Bessledorf” series tells about a hotel that becomes the scene of many comic mysteries. The series began with The Mad Gasser of Bessledorf Street (1983). The “York” trilogy (1980-1981) concerns a young man who travels through time and confronts his fears about a severe hereditary disease that affects his family. Naylor’s other novels for young readers include Send No Blessings (1992), Faith, Hope, and Ivy June (2009), Going Where It’s Dark (2015), and Zack and the Turkey Attack! (2017).
Naylor has written several books for adults. Crazy Love: An Autobiographical Account of Marriage and Madness (1977) is about the author’s experience with her mentally ill first husband, whom she divorced in 1960. How I Came to Be a Writer (1978, revised in 1987 and 2002) is her autobiography. Revelations (1979) and Unexpected Pleasures (1986) are adult novels.
Phyllis Reynolds was born on Jan. 4, 1933, in Anderson, Indiana. She married Rex Naylor, a speech pathologist, in 1960. It was her second marriage. She received a B.A. degree in psychology from American University in 1963 but decided instead to become a full-time writer.
