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Eyerly, Jeanette

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1908-2008

Biography

Jeannette Hyde Eyerly was born in Topeka, Kansas in 1908. Her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa when she was still a youngster. There she attended Drake University, although she transferred to the University of Iowa in her senior year and graduated in 1930. In 1932, she married Frank Eyerly, a newspaperman for the Des Moines Register and Tribune. Although she had her first publication at the age of eight, her first novel was not published until 1962. She had, however, published short stories and articles for many years, writing under her own name and a number of pseudonyms. Her first novel, More Than a Summer Love, was written after her daughters had made some rather uncomplimentary remarks about contemporary books aimed at teenagers. Thus began Jeannette Eyerly's career writing for young adults. In her nearly twenty novels, she dealt with such serious topics as drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, and abortion. Her books have been translated into many languages. Ms. Eyerly died on August 18, 2008, at the age of 100.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Jeanette Eyerly Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MsC0599
Abstract

Author of books for young adults from More Than a Summer Love, (1962), with a special concern for mental health. Correspondence, notes, various drafts, promotional material, etc., of her many books for adolescents.

Dates: 1925-1994