Minnesota Authors, Illustrators and Cartoonists Quiz

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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'.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: Lake Wobegon

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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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'.

Answer: Charles 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!