Marilyn Reynolds

A native of southern California, in 1965, Reynolds earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from California State University and, in 1967, a California Lifetime Teaching Credential. In 1971 she earned a Master of Science degree in Reading Education from Pepperdine University. In addition to writing books and personal essays, Reynolds provides workshops for writers and teachers.{{cite web|url=http://www.marilynreynolds.com/bio.html|title=Bio|website=Marilyn Reynolds}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.amherstwriters.com/about/awa-news/163-newsletter-july-2013|title=July 2013|date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518080830/http://www.amherstwriters.com/about/awa-news/163-newsletter-july-2013|archive-date=May 18, 2015}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.916ink.org/what-we-do|title=What We Do — 916 Ink|date=October 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023063004/http://www.916ink.org/what-we-do|archive-date=October 23, 2014}}

Reynolds is the author of ten books in the award-winning True-to-Life Series from Hamilton High.{{Cite web|url=https://newwindpublishing.com/author-marilyn-reynolds/|title=Marilyn Reynolds – New Wind}} Her books cover sensitive topics, including teen pregnancy, molestation, rape and issues of gender identity. Her book, I Won’t Read and You Can’t Make Me: Reaching Reluctant Teen Readers{{cite web|url=https://www.heinemann.com/products/e00605.aspx|title=I Won't Read and You Can't Make Me|website=Heinemann Publishing}} is a compilation of practical strategies and techniques developed over decades of teaching low level readers. Her most recent book is a collection of personal essays, Over 70 and I Don't Mean MPH: Reflections on the Gift of Longevity.{{cite web|url=https://amzn.com/0984428348 |title=Over 70 and I Don't Mean MPH: Reflections on the Gift of Longevity: Reynolds, Marilyn: 9780984428342: Amazon.com: Books |publisher=Amzn.com |date= |accessdate=2020-04-17}} She is currently at work on Til Death or Dementia Do Us Part, the story of her journey with her husband as he sank more and more deeply into the abyss of Frontotemporal Dementia.

Because of the true-to-life portrayal of sensitive subjects in the Hamilton High series, Reynolds’ books are sometimes challenged by those who want teens to be protected from life's harsh realities. In 2005, Detour for Emmy was on the American Library Association's Top Ten Banned Books list.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/bannedchallengedreasons|title=Why Have These Books Been Banned/Challenged? | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues|date=October 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030031957/http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/bannedchallengedreasons|archive-date=October 30, 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/09/26/banned-books-week-the-10-most-challenged-books-every-year-since-2000/|title=Banned Books Week: the 10 most challenged books every year since 2000|first1=Valerie |last1=Strauss |newspaper=Washington Post}}

Several of the Hamilton High series books have been included in the American Library Association's "Best Books for Young Adults," including Too Soon For Jeff and Detour for Emmy{{cite web|url=http://www.librarything.com/bookaward/ALA+Best+Books+for+Young+Adults|title=ALA Best Books for Young Adults | Book awards | LibraryThing|website=www.librarything.com}} and "Best Books for Reluctant Readers." Detour for Emmy received the South Carolina Young Adult Book Award in 1996.{{cite web|url=https://www.librarything.com/bookaward/South+Carolina+Young+Adult+Book+Award|title=South Carolina Young Adult Book Award | Book awards | LibraryThing|website=www.librarything.com}} Love Rules was a finalist both for a Lambda award{{Cite web|url=https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2002/07/lambda-literary-awards-2001/|title=14th Annual Lambda Literary Awards|date=July 10, 2002}} and the Benjamin Franklin Award. Six of her books have been given the New York Public Library's designation "Best Books for the Teen Age"{{cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/reynolds-marilyn-1935|title=Reynolds, Marilyn 1935- | Encyclopedia.com|website=www.encyclopedia.com}}

In 1996, Reynolds’ novel, Too Soon for Jeff, was adapted as an ABC Afterschool Special starring Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Jessica Alba.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-12-ca-42827-story.html|title='Jeff': Another Perspective on Teen Pregnancy|date=September 12, 1996|website=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0197048/|title=Too Soon for Jeff|via=www.imdb.com}} In 1997, Reynolds and her Too Soon for Jeff script-writing partner, Karen Kasaba, were nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Children's Special. They were also given a Nancy Susan Reynolds Award for the writing.

1. Detour for Emmy
2. Too Soon for Jeff
3. Beyond Dreams
4. Telling
5. But What About Me
6. Baby Help
7. If You Loved Me
8. Love Rules
9. No More Sad Goodbyes
10. Shut Up!

1. I Won’t Read and You Can’t Make Me: Reaching Reluctant Teen Readers
2. Over 70 and I Don't Mean MPH: Reflections on the Gift of Longevity

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.marilynreynolds.com/ Official website]
• [http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n91-67088/ Author's entry in WorldCat]
• {{IMDb name|0721850}}

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Category:1935 births

Category:Living people

Category:American women novelists

Category:American young adult novelists

Category:California State University, Los Angeles alumni

Category:Pepperdine University alumni

Category:American women writers of young adult literature

Category:21st-century American women

Category:Novelists from California