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Kelly Starling Lyons, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the author of five children’s books. She has also contributed to Ebony magazine and written short essays for the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series. . Lyons is also one of the founding members of the blog The Brown Bookshelf - a blog dedicated to books for African American young readers with book reviews, author and illustrator interviews.

Personal
As a high school student, Lyons loved the works of Richard Wright, James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry. She set a goal to be an author as well.

As an adult, she read the book Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth. It was the first time she had seen an African-American girl featured on the cover of a picture book. She decided at this point that she would start writing fiction books for children that would feature African-American lead characters. .

Books
Lyons’ works focus on aspects of African American history and culture, and incorporate many of her own childhood memories. .

Her first book was published in 2004 by Just Us Books. NEATE: Eddie’s Ordeal, a title in their NEATE chapter book series. This story told of the relationship between a thirteen-year-old African-American boy who loves to play basketball and his civil rights veteran dad.

Her next book, One Million Men and Me was published by Just Us Books in 2007. Illustrated by Peter Ambush, it was inspired by her memories of attending the Million Man March.

Her current publisher is G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

Ellen’s Broom, illustrated by Daniel Minter, was published in January, 2012 by Putnam books. It was inspired by a document she saw while researching family history in Rockingham County, NC and Henry County, VA. Daniel Minter received a Coretta Scott King Book Award for his illustrations of this book.

Tea Cakes for Tosh which was published on December 6, 2012. It is illustrated by E.B. Lewis and was inspired by her relationship with her grandmother.

Hope's Gift, illustrated by Don Tate, was published on December 27, 2012. It ties in with the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

External Sites
thebrownbookshelf.com