Fantasy meets reality in Ellen Booraem’s middle-grade novels—most recently Texting the Underworld (Penguin/Dial Books for Young Readers). Texting the Underworld introduces Conor O’Neill, a South Boston twelve-year-old who tries to save his family by following a young banshee to a multicultural Underworld. The book explores themes of self-esteem, courage, family life, death, and diversity, but with the hefty dose of humor that characterizes all of Booraem's books.
Her latest fantasy, River Magic, will come out in April 2021, again with Dial. Donna Landon, a feisty girl who's a talented carpenter but not so good in school, is trying to come to terms with the death of her beloved aunt and the resulting collapse of her family life and friendships. But she also must contend with a grumpy new neighbor who turns out to be a thunder mage. And what's that huge, scaly thing in the river?
Booraem is also the author of Small Persons with Wings and The Unnameables, a finalist for the Maine Literary Award. Her books have made “best of the year” lists including Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, The Washington Post, and the American Library Association. Kirkus Reviews wrote about her as "one of the best kids' writers you've never heard of."
A writing coach in her local school, Booraem has presented workshops on character development, journalism, and the writing life for audiences ranging in age from middle school to adult. She also offers online classroom visits.
Booraem was a Maine newspaper reporter and editor for nineteen years, serving most recently as arts editor of The Ellsworth American. She has freelanced for newspapers and magazines and in corporate settings. A graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, she lives in Brooklin, Maine.