Born:
  New York, New York,
United States Of America

Current Home:
New York, New York,
United States Of America

Alison Pollet

Biography

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“When I was a kid, I always had a story in my head: on the school bus, on the subway, and often when I should have been paying attention — such as during Math class. I grew up in New York City, which was great because it was never boring. Between the activity on the street and the stories in my head, I always had a lot going on!

I loved reading, and have incredible memories of squishing myself into a corner of the school library, and digging into a book.  I could be a little obsessive. I actually have an old diary with an entry that says: “Today, I read 11 books!!!” Looking back on it, that doesn’t actually seem possible. 11 books in one day? I think maybe I skimmed.

I always kept a diary, but it never crossed my mind to put the stories from my head into it.  My diary — in high school, I started calling it a journal — was for recording my feelings; the stories in my head were my secret way of making life more interesting.

I didn’t think about writing a book until after I’d graduated from college. I was living in Los Angeles and working for a TV production company, when it struck me that I wanted to write a novel about a twelve-year-old girl who was trying to understand the world around her.

Holding a story in your head is one thing, writing it down, is another!  I worked on Nobody Was Here for several years. Now, when I walked down the street, my head was filled with Penelope’s stories: What was her family like? Who were her friends? What clothes did she wear?

I moved back to New York City, supported myself with a fun job writing books for MTV shows, and acquired two magnificent kittens, which are now magnificent cats. Now, I’m writing a book about Penelope’s friend Cass, who is thirteen.”

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  The Teacher Store

  Nobody Was Here: Seventh Grade in the Life of Me, Penelope by Alison Pollet It's 1981 and Penelope Schwartzbaum has just started seventh grade at New York City's Elston Prep, and everything feels unfamiliar: the campus, the classes, even Stacy-and she's been Penelope's best friend for six years! Stacy has joined a clique of girls and doesn't even notice that Penelope is floating farther away. At home, the new mother's helper, Jenny, has Penelope's little brother swooning all over the place. And when her parents are home-which is rare-all they ever do is fight. $15.95 Hardcover Book | Grades 4-7

  
  Nobody Was Here: Seventh Grade in the Life of Me, Penelope
  Grades 4-7 $15.95
  
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  The Teacher Store

  The Pity Party: 8th Grade in the Life of Me, Cass by Alison Pollet Follow quick-witted Cass Levin through the rugged terrain of eighth grade at New York City's Elston Prep in this sequel to Alison Pollet's brilliant debut, Nobody Was Here. Cass confronts her problems with spirited resilience, but as the year progresses, her isolation increases, and her deepest struggles get the best of her. She's haunted by nightmares about her deceased parents; she's arguing with her friends and her guardian Bea. Something has to change! And so Cass embarks on an adventure th $15.95 Hardcover Book | Grades 4-7

  
  The Pity Party: 8th Grade in the Life of Me, Cass
  Grades 4-7 $15.95