Pamela Porter
Encyclopedia
Pamela Porter is an American novelist of children's literature and poetry. She was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico
and has also lived in Texas
, Louisiana
, Washington and Montana
. She immigrated to Canada
with her husband, the fourth generation of a Saskatchewan
farm family and now resides in Sidney
, British Columbia
. Her books are mainly directed at a teenage audience. Pamela has received numerous rewards for her praise as a children's novelist. She is the author of the multiple award-winning novel The Crazy Man, and two previous volumes of poetry: Stones Call Out, and The Intelligence of Animals. Her poetry has appeared in literary magazines in Canada and the U.S.
until half way through kindergarten. Her father, who worked for an insurance company, was transferred, and then the family moved to Dallas, Texas. When Pamela was 12 years old her father was transferred to Monroe, Louisiana, here she attended Robert E. Lee Junior High. Pamela remembers her school as being very strict, she had to address all her elders as “Yes, Ma’am, No, Ma’am, Yes, Sir, No, Sir.” Pamela was first introduced to racism at her school when everyone treated the African American staff with no respect by calling them by their first names and playing around with them. Pamela recalls becoming very interested in the worlds politics by watching the evening news every day. Pamela was first introduced to poetry while flipping through the back of her English Language Arts book in class. Pamela would collect little pithy things, pick up books from the library, books of poetry and pieces that usually were short, the length she felt she could read. Pamela was also introduced to poems by Robert Frost
, particularly “Desert Places”. Pamela believed she was always destined to be an author, she remembers always wanting to play the game “Authors” instead of “Scrabble” as a child.
. She now holds an MFA in poetry writing from the University of Montana. When Pamela first entered university, she was very interested in languages. She studied the German language
for a few years and was interested in becoming fluent in some other languages and becoming a translator. Pamela was 19 years old when she took her first writing course. Pamela met her husband at the Southern Methodist University
in bell choir. Pamela and Rob traveled a lot together before having kids, they went to New Mexico for a while, and then moved to Seattle before moving to Montana
to be a little bit closer to Rob’s family who were in Calgary
at that time. The family now resides in Sidney
, British Columbia
. Pamela is currently a professor at the University of Victoria
where she is a sessional instructor. For generations, her family has gone to Saskatchewan
every summer to work on the farm.
and multiple books in children’s literature
. Porter has won multiple awards throughout her career. One worth noting and the first award she had won was for her second novel titled The Crazy Men, for which she won the Governor General's Award
.
. She was raised in a family of stalwart Presbyterians
that were strict followers of their religion. Pamela Porter learned to read at the age of five and says that her father inspired her with a hymn book. Pamela has early memories of hearing the King James Bible read aloud; it gave her an introduction to literature and diverse vocabulary at a young age.
Pamela’s second influence was Robert Frost
. She stated that The Complete Poems of Robert Frost was the only book of literature in her house; her mother received it as a gift. No one had opened it until she pulled the book down from a high shelf and began to read it. Other notable influences of Pamela porter include Li-Young Lee
and Lorna Crozier
, while stating that her influences are many and varied. She leans towards “poets who make effortless music with language while still holding their humanity close."
as their favorite book of the year. Her books are distinguishable from other children books as the themes of the book deal with real life issues and are often based on serious subjects for young people. They involve sad and depressing moments that children have encountered or will encounter in their lives and are stories that many children can relate to. A prime example is the book The Crazy Man, as this story deals with the abandonment of one parent or another or sometimes both, thus, telling the story of how people heal from tragedy and what they do to arrive at the point of healing, and even of gratitude. Other than her impact on young children through her notable children's literature novels, she has also been heavily involved with rescuing animals and taking them in as her own. Porter claims her love for animals comes from her past experiences living on a ranch in Montana
and Saskatchewan
were she grew up in the care of animals.
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
and has also lived in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, Washington and Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. She immigrated to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
with her husband, the fourth generation of a Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
farm family and now resides in Sidney
Sidney
Sidney may refer to:-United States:* Sidney, Arkansas* Sidney, Illinois* Sidney, Indiana* Sidney, Iowa* Sidney, Kentucky* Sidney, Maine* Sidney, Montana* Sidney, Nebraska* Sidney , New York** Sidney , New York* Sidney, Ohio...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Her books are mainly directed at a teenage audience. Pamela has received numerous rewards for her praise as a children's novelist. She is the author of the multiple award-winning novel The Crazy Man, and two previous volumes of poetry: Stones Call Out, and The Intelligence of Animals. Her poetry has appeared in literary magazines in Canada and the U.S.
Early life
Pamela lived in Albuquerque, New MexicoNew Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
until half way through kindergarten. Her father, who worked for an insurance company, was transferred, and then the family moved to Dallas, Texas. When Pamela was 12 years old her father was transferred to Monroe, Louisiana, here she attended Robert E. Lee Junior High. Pamela remembers her school as being very strict, she had to address all her elders as “Yes, Ma’am, No, Ma’am, Yes, Sir, No, Sir.” Pamela was first introduced to racism at her school when everyone treated the African American staff with no respect by calling them by their first names and playing around with them. Pamela recalls becoming very interested in the worlds politics by watching the evening news every day. Pamela was first introduced to poetry while flipping through the back of her English Language Arts book in class. Pamela would collect little pithy things, pick up books from the library, books of poetry and pieces that usually were short, the length she felt she could read. Pamela was also introduced to poems by Robert Frost
Robert Frost
Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and...
, particularly “Desert Places”. Pamela believed she was always destined to be an author, she remembers always wanting to play the game “Authors” instead of “Scrabble” as a child.
Later life
Pamela finished her undergraduate degree at Southern Methodist UniversitySouthern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
. She now holds an MFA in poetry writing from the University of Montana. When Pamela first entered university, she was very interested in languages. She studied the German language
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
for a few years and was interested in becoming fluent in some other languages and becoming a translator. Pamela was 19 years old when she took her first writing course. Pamela met her husband at the Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
in bell choir. Pamela and Rob traveled a lot together before having kids, they went to New Mexico for a while, and then moved to Seattle before moving to Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
to be a little bit closer to Rob’s family who were in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
at that time. The family now resides in Sidney
Sidney
Sidney may refer to:-United States:* Sidney, Arkansas* Sidney, Illinois* Sidney, Indiana* Sidney, Iowa* Sidney, Kentucky* Sidney, Maine* Sidney, Montana* Sidney, Nebraska* Sidney , New York** Sidney , New York* Sidney, Ohio...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Pamela is currently a professor at the University of Victoria
University of Victoria
The University of Victoria, often referred to as UVic, is the second oldest public research university in British Columbia, Canada. It is a research intensive university located in Saanich and Oak Bay, about northeast of downtown Victoria. The University's annual enrollment is about 20,000 students...
where she is a sessional instructor. For generations, her family has gone to Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
every summer to work on the farm.
Notable works
Pamela Porter is the author of three collections of poetryPoetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
and multiple books in children’s literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
. Porter has won multiple awards throughout her career. One worth noting and the first award she had won was for her second novel titled The Crazy Men, for which she won the Governor General's Award
Governor General's Award
The Governor General's Awards are a collection of awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, marking distinction in a number of academic, artistic and social fields. The first was conceived in 1937 by Lord Tweedsmuir, a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction who created the Governor...
.
Publications
- Regina, SK: Groundwood Books (2004)
- The Crazy Man. Toronto: Groundwood Books (2005)
- Stones Call Out. Regina, SK: Coteau Books, (2006)
- Yellow Moon, Apple Moon. Groundwood Books, (2008)
- The Intelligence of Animals. The Backwaters Press (2008)
Awards
- Governor General's AwardGovernor General's AwardThe Governor General's Awards are a collection of awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, marking distinction in a number of academic, artistic and social fields. The first was conceived in 1937 by Lord Tweedsmuir, a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction who created the Governor...
, Children's Literature for The Crazy Man (2005) - Texas Institute of Letters, Friends of the Austin Public Library Award for Young Adult Book for The Crazy Man (2006)
- Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children (2006)
- Jane Addams Foundation Honor Book for The Crazy Man (2006)
- Geoffrey Bilson Historical Fiction Award for Children (2006)
- TD Canadian Literature Award (2006)
- Hackmatack Award (2007)
- OLA Golden Oak Award (2007)
- Rocky Mountain Book Award (2007)
- Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award (2007)
- Red Cedar Award (2008)
Influences
Pamela Porter stated that her first influence was the BibleBible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. She was raised in a family of stalwart Presbyterians
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
that were strict followers of their religion. Pamela Porter learned to read at the age of five and says that her father inspired her with a hymn book. Pamela has early memories of hearing the King James Bible read aloud; it gave her an introduction to literature and diverse vocabulary at a young age.
Pamela’s second influence was Robert Frost
Robert Frost
Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and...
. She stated that The Complete Poems of Robert Frost was the only book of literature in her house; her mother received it as a gift. No one had opened it until she pulled the book down from a high shelf and began to read it. Other notable influences of Pamela porter include Li-Young Lee
Li-Young Lee
Li-Young Lee is an American poet. He was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, to Chinese parents. His maternal grandfather was Yuan Shikai, China's first Republican President, who attempted to make himself emperor...
and Lorna Crozier
Lorna Crozier
Lorna Crozier is a Canadian poet and holds the Head Chair in the Writing Department at the University of Victoria....
, while stating that her influences are many and varied. She leans towards “poets who make effortless music with language while still holding their humanity close."
Cultural impact
Pamela Porter’s work has its greatest impact on juvenile audiences, as young readers voted her book The Crazy Man across CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
as their favorite book of the year. Her books are distinguishable from other children books as the themes of the book deal with real life issues and are often based on serious subjects for young people. They involve sad and depressing moments that children have encountered or will encounter in their lives and are stories that many children can relate to. A prime example is the book The Crazy Man, as this story deals with the abandonment of one parent or another or sometimes both, thus, telling the story of how people heal from tragedy and what they do to arrive at the point of healing, and even of gratitude. Other than her impact on young children through her notable children's literature novels, she has also been heavily involved with rescuing animals and taking them in as her own. Porter claims her love for animals comes from her past experiences living on a ranch in Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
and Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
were she grew up in the care of animals.