Valerie Sherrard

Who is Valerie Sherrard?

Valerie Sherrard is a Canadian author of books for children and young adults including the multi award winning novel The Glory Wind, Kate, Speechless, and the Shelby Belgarden mystery series.

The Glory Wind won the 2011 Geoffrey Bilson Award, the Ann Connor Brimer Award and was shortlisted for numerous other awards, including the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, and the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award.

Sherrard's picture books include There's a Cow Under my Bed, with artwork by Canadian Illustrator David Jardine and Miss Wondergem's Dreadfully Dreadful Pie with artwork by Canadian Illustrator Wendy J. Whittingham.

Valerie Sherrard was born in Moose Jaw. When living in West Germany, in grade 6, her homeroom teacher, Alf Lower, inspired her to become a writer. She presently lives in Miramichi, New Brunswick, with her husband, Brent, who is also an author.

Sherrard's 2007 historical novel, Three Million Acres of Flame, is about the 1825 Miramichi Fire, the largest recorded land fire in North American history.

Previously, Sherrard was the executive director of a group home for adolescents. In addition to raising her own children, she has been a foster parent to approximately 70 teenagers.