Biography
Deborah Kerbel was born in London, England, but moved to Canada before she was old enough to cultivate a posh accent or a love of marmalade. She grew up in Toronto, Ontario, with her parents, sister, brother and a beagle named Snoopy.#Deborah loved reading from a very young age. As a kid, her favorite authors were Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume and L. Frank Baum. She loved books so much, she decided to major in literature at the University of Western Ontario so she would have a good excuse to never put her book down at the dinner table. A few years later, she decided it was time to try writing a book of her own. It went pretty well. Although she’s had jobs selling music, restaurant hostessing and pajama modeling, writing books for kids is definitely her favorite thing to do.#Deborah is the author of four young-adult novels and two middle-grade novels, including Feathered. She’s also co-authored five books with her father (who’s also a writer).#Deborah’s novels have been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association’s YA Book Award and the Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award. She’s also the recipient of the City of Vaughan’s 2011 R.A.V.E. Award for her work with youth as a literary arts educator and mentor.#Deborah now lives in Thornhill, Ontario, with her husband, son and daughter. Her kids have inspired many of her book ideas. Like their mom, they also love to read. Sometimes they won’t put their books down when Deborah calls them to the dinner table. But she doesn’t mind. Much.#Facebook: authordeborahkerbel~Twitter: @DeborahKerbel
Awards
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Next Door
2023 - First and Best, Toronto Public Library, Joint Winner
2025 - IBBY Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities List, International Board of Books for Young People (IBBY), Short-Listed
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Feathered
2017 - Vine Awards for Canadian Jewish Literature, Koffler Centre of the Arts, Commended
2016 - Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Winner