Special Sub-Topic: Minnesota Authors, Illustrators and Cartoonists Click Here To Play: Minnesota Authors, Illustrators and Cartoonists

What play by the Minnesota playwright, August Wilson, won the Pulitzer Prize for his Drama in 1987 and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for an outstanding play?

Fences. August Wilson, the child of a Caucasian father and an African-American mother, was born in 1945 in Pittsburgh but moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in the 1980's. His play 'Fences' opened in 1985 at the Yale Repertory Theater and then moved to New York in 1987. 'Fences' was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for 1987.

What resident of St. Paul, Minnesota was the author of the book, 'Caddie Woodlawn', which won the Newberry Medal for best children's book of the year?

Carol R. Brink. The American Library Association awards the Newberry Medal annually in honor of John Newberry, a publisher of childrens' books in England. This Medal recognizes the author whose book made 'the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children'. Carol R. Brink received that award in 1936 for her book, 'Caddie Woodlawn'.

What famous Minnesota-born sculptor created the design for the Buffalo Head nickel coin which remained in production from 1913 to 1938?

James Earle Thomas. The original Liberty Head nickel coin was designed by Charles Barber, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint and first minted in 1883. With the passage of the Coinage Act of 1890 it was suggested to August Saint-Gauden that a new design for the nickel was indicated. However, it wasn't until 1911 that Franklin MacVeagh, Secretary of the Treasury, commissioned James Earle Thomas to submit a new design, which resulted in the acceptance of the Buffalo Head. James Earle Thomas was born in Winona, Minnesota in 1876. His most famous sculpture is 'End of the Trail' done in 1915. This statue depicts a weary horse and an Indian warrior bent over in the saddle.

What Minnesota-born author was the first American to win the Nobel Prize for literature?

Sinclair H. Lewis. Sinclair Harry Lewis was born in Sauk Center, Minnesota in 1885 and received his higher education at Yale University. In 1926 he refused the Pulitzer Prize for his book, 'Arrowsmith'. In 1930 he became the first American to be named a Nobel Laureate in literature, an award which he accepted.

In which fictional town in Minnesota, as described by Garrison Keillor, would one be, if 'all the women are strong, the men are good-looking and the children are above average'?

Lake Wobegon & Lake Wobegone & Lake Woebegone & Lake Woebegon. Garrison Keillor was born in 1942. After graduating from the University of Minnesota he created the very successful radio program called, 'A Prairie Home Companion'. Later he hosted a program on Minnesota Public Radio and made sham commercials for non-existing companies in the fictional town of 'Lake Wobegon'. His book entitled 'Lake Wobegon' was published at a later date.

What author whose family farmed near Walnut Grove, Minnesota wrote a series of 'Little House' books? Her books gained additional recognition as a result of Michael Landon's TV series called, 'Little House on the Prairie'.

Laura Ingalls Wilder. Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867 in a log cabin in Wisconsin. In 1874 the Ingalls family moved and settled on a small farm near Walnut Grove, Minnesota. In the 1930's and 40's she began writing stories based on her own experiences and these became a children's series of Little House books.

What author and illustrator born in New Ulm, Minnesota received the Caldecot Honor Award for two of her written and illustrated books?

Wanda H. Gag. The Caldecot Award is named in honor of Randolph Caldecot, an English illustrator. Wanda H. Gag received the Caldecot Honor Book Award, which is given annually by the Association for Library Services, a division of the American Library Association, to the most distinguished author and illustrator of children's picture books.

What Minnesota-born author wrote 'This Side of Paradise'?

F. Scott Fitzgerald. F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 24, 1896. After finishing elementary schools, he enrolled in Princeton University. He dropped out of Princeton and joined the Army. He wrote many novels and short stories during his lifetime. His autobiographical novel, 'This Side of Paradise' was published in 1920. He and his wife, Zelda, led a lavish. 'high-society' style of living.

What Minnesota-born author won the Margaret A. Edwards Award for 'Outstanding Literature for Young Adults'?

Gary Paulsen. Gary Paulsen was born in Minnesota on May 17, 1937. He attended Bemidji State University. His novels reflect on his own experiences as a 'Trapper', Woodsman'and 'Dog Sledder'.Three of his novels are, 'Winterkill', 'Dogsong' and 'Father Waters and Mother Woods'. In 1997 he was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Prize, which is given to an author for 'his or her lifetime dedication in writing books for teenagers'.

My final entry for this Trivia Quiz is a tribute to a famous Minnesota-born cartoonist and a Great Man. What very famous Minnesota-born cartoonist, whose nickname was 'Sparky', won the National Society of Cartoonists (NSC) Reuben Award, at least {twice;} won the Milt Caniff Lifetime Achievement {Award;} caused a national craze with a character named after a 'nut' and created an annual disastrous event because a small girl wouldn't hold the football for the kick-off by Mr. Brown?

Charles Schulz & Charlie Schulz &Schulz. Charles Monroe Schulz was born on November 22, 1922 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He died of colon cancer on February 13, 2000. With his lifetime of cartoons he caused a national craze with his 'Peanuts Characters'. The Peanuts TV show in 1965 won an Emmy Award. The play, 'You're a Good Man Charlie Brown' ran on Broadway for 4 years. Then 'A Boy Named Charlie Brown' hit the silver screen in 1970. There were plans for every major American cartoonist to feature Charles Schulz in their columns for May 27,2000. We'll all miss you Charles Schulz!