Poet, Children's Author Marilyn Nelson to Read at UA Poetry Center

Nelson received numerous awards for her children's books.

Award-winning poet, young adult author and translator Marilyn Nelson will read from her work to middle and high school students next week.

The event, slated for 11 a.m. Thursday, will be held at The University of Arizona Poetry Center, located in the Helen S. Schaefer Building, 1508 E. Helen St. The reading is free and open to the public. 

Nelson, a native of Cleveland and professor emeritus at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, has authored and translated more than a dozen books.

In 1991, her book "The Homeplace" was a finalist for the National Book Award. "A Wreath for Emmett Till" earned the 2005 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.

Nelson has been named a finalist for the PEN Winship Award and the Lenore Marshall Prize. Other books have earned the Coretta Scott King Honor Book award and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry honor.

Her other books include "The Fields of Praise," "Magnificat," "Mama's Promises" and "The Cat Walked through the Casserole and Other Poems for Children."

Nelson's other honors include reciving a Fulbright teaching fellowship, Pushcart Prizes and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.