photo by Mary Noble Ours
Welcome! If you’re looking for L. M. or Laura Malone Elliott, you’ve found the right place. I have two bylines—L. M. for historical novels and my full name for the picture books illustrated by the amazing Lynn Munsinger.
Thanks to Chris Hample for designing such an imaginative site—a perfect example of the creative collaboration set in motion by books. Readers and educators add their own thoughts and imagination to my words, making a book a wondrous living thing.
Come on in to learn more about me, my books, the research/ writing process, and some fascinating historical time periods. And adults, there’s plenty for you, too! As commentator Stephen Colbert recently said, “YA books are just regular novels that people actually read.”
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Kind Words
UNDER A WAR-TORN SKY WWII TRILOGY
It’s packed with action, intrigue, and suspense, but this novel celebrates acts of kindness and heroism without glorifying war. A gripping adventure.
ALA Booklist
A powerful novel of adventure and salvation. Readers, young and old, will be moved by this fine book.
Children's Literature
Elliott’s fluid style is woven together with vivid historical details. Fans of history, culture, language, or just good storytelling will definitely want to read this.
BookPage
DA VINCI'S TIGER
Elliott’s delicately beautiful novel is thoroughly researched, portraying three-dimensional characters in a lively atmosphere of love and art. Renaissance Florence breathes through this book, bringing readers to a fuller understanding of the portrait, the era, and an indomitable young woman.
Publishers’ Weekly Starred Review
...Elliott meticulously researched the 15th century to bring alive the affluence, art, and clothing Florence was known for—fully immersing readers in the time period. In many ways, this novel is a feminist piece. Ginevra lives during a time in which the only way for women to study philosophy and art was in a convent, and once married, women had little to no formal education, as they became the property of their husbands. Breaking this mold, Ginevra learns that her empowerment comes from within, despite the limitations put on her sex. VERDICT Add this gem to round out collections skewed toward 20th-century history.
School Library Journal
"The Italian Renaissance and its powerful Medici family serve as an intriguing backdrop as young Ginevra navigates her way through a patriarchal society focused on the creation of magnificent art and the accumulation of wealth. Rich in historical detail, and based on an oil painting located in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., this story reveals much about the life of women in the fifteenth century. Descriptions of well-known works of art, complex societal protocols, and political power plays allow the reader to understand both the beauty and restrictions of Ginevra’s world...fans of historical fiction will find Italy’s Renaissance fascinating."
Lynne Farrell Stover, VOYA
ANNIE, BETWEEN THE STATES
Part Ken Burns' The Civil War, part Gone with the Wind, Elliott's third novel will be devoured by fans of historical fiction. Fiery, intelligent Annie remains a heroine to relish, and readers will find themselves pondering the soul-wrenching questions she asks: ´Had their war been a justifiable one? Could anything justify this much carnage?’
ALA Booklist
A strong and memorable heroine, romance, a rich portrayal of the everyday life, and an understanding of both sides of the conflict.
School Library Journal
FLYING SOUTH
This is both a poignant mother-daughter story and a comforting tale of the affection between a lonely young girl and an irascible but devoted old man. Readers will find poignancy, humor, and history in this story.
School Library Journal
The story is as beautiful as the roses that symbolize the tale of rebirth between mother and daughter. Readers will like spunky, resilient Alice. The setting provides a voice for the social conflicts of 1968 with frequent references to Vietnam demonstrations, Bobby Kennedy’s assassination, Martin Luther King’s influence, and the fragile acceptance of racial differences.
VOYA
GIVE ME LIBERTY
Elliott’s engaging and highly readable novel is well researched and sprinkled liberally with renowned patriots of the period. Particularly noteworthy is the way in which Elliott handles the paradox of colonial Americans fighting for their independence from England yet clinging to the practice of enslaving other human beings. She does not provide pat answers, and Nathaniel’s inability to reconcile what he sees around him promises to provoke thoughtful discussion. A rich and robust piece of historical literature.
School Library Journal
PICTURE BOOKS
Elliott sympathetically addresses the prickly topic of peer pressure from a child's perspective. Munsinger's anthropomorphic raccoons are irresistibly cute and cuddly... Elliott does a remarkable job portraying how difficult it is for Hunter to resist Stripe's entreaties and later, not react to his teasing. Readers will readily respond to Hunter's dilemma and be reassured by his ultimate success.
Kirkus Reviews
Munsinger and Elliott sensitively convey classroom popularity dynamics and Valentine's Day butterflies; the moment when Sam realizes that it's Mary Ann he really likes should touch even Valentine's Day grouches.
Publisher's Weekly
Recent Blog Posts
The Power of YA Historical Fiction
Posted by laura on February 14, 2019
Interview with Grateful American Foundation
Posted by laura on December 5, 2018
Peggy-Themed Birthday Cards!
Posted by laura on September 20, 2018
Happy 260th BIRTHDAY, PEGGY!
Posted by laura on September 19, 2018
Happy Anniversary to Catharine and Philip!
Posted by laura on September 7, 2018
Guest Blog: Happy Birthday, Lafayette!
Posted by laura on September 6, 2018
And Peggy...The Schuyler Sisters Ninja!
Posted by laura on August 7, 2018
My Favorite Historical Sisters
Posted by laura on August 5, 2018
A Revolutionary Woman Journalist
Posted by laura on July 11, 2018
Angelica's Elopement
Posted by laura on June 27, 2018
Guest Blog: In Appreciation of Thomas Kail
Posted by laura on June 22, 2018
Happy Father's Day to America's #1 Founding Father
Posted by laura on June 17, 2018
Some Thoughts on Memorial Day--and a Guest Blog from Liz Wiley
Posted by laura on May 28, 2018
The Hurricane that gave us Alexander Hamilton
Posted by laura on May 14, 2018
Guest Blog: An American Loyalist in General Schuyler's House
Posted by laura on April 30, 2018
Lafayette's Love, Adrienne
Posted by laura on April 26, 2018
THE FINAL AND OFFICIAL COVER
Posted by laura on April 16, 2018
THE FOURTH COVER OPTIONS
Posted by laura on April 11, 2018
The Room Where Peggy Happened: The Library
Posted by laura on April 9, 2018
The Third Cover Options
Posted by laura on April 8, 2018
THE SECOND COVER OPTIONS
Posted by laura on April 6, 2018
The First Cover Options
Posted by laura on April 4, 2018
HOW A COVER GETS MADE
Posted by laura on April 2, 2018
Guest Blog: Theodosia Writes Me a Letter Every Day...
Posted by laura on March 28, 2018
The courage and love of the Hessian Baroness von Riedesel
Posted by laura on March 25, 2018
Ann Eliza Schuyler Bleecker—one of America’s First Female Poets
Posted by laura on March 23, 2018
The Other Peggy—the one who fooled Alexander Hamilton!
Posted by laura on March 21, 2018
Lucy Knox: Romantic and Patriot
Posted by laura on March 20, 2018
George Washington Orders a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Posted by laura on March 16, 2018
Happy Birthday, Richard Varick!
Posted by laura on March 15, 2018
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