Carol Kendall (writer)
An author who crafted richly imagined fantasy worlds for young readers, winning a Newbery Honor for her tale of a girl and a magical creature.
1917–2012 (age 95)·American writer·Birthday: September 13·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Carol Kendall built a quiet but enduring legacy in children's literature, specializing in fantasy that felt both wondrous and grounded. Her most famous work, 'The Gammage Cup,' published in 1959, earned her a Newbery Honor. The novel, set in the land of the Minnipins, is a clever allegory about conformity and courage that continues to resonate. Kendall, who sometimes wrote under the nickname 'Siggy,' possessed a meticulous world-building skill, creating societies with their own histories, customs, and gentle humor. Her writing was never flashy but was deeply thoughtful, earning respect from peers and lasting affection from readers who discovered her books. Awards like the Mythopoeic Society's Aslan award later honored her contribution to the fantasy genre, cementing her place as a thoughtful voice in mid-century children's publishing.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Carol was born in 1917, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Carol Was Born
The biggest hits of 1917
#1 Movie
Cleopatra
Carol's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1917Born
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Started school
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1930Became a teenager
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1933Could drive
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1935Could vote
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1938Turned 21
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1947Turned 30
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 40
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 50
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 60
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 70
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1997Turned 80
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2012Died at 95
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
Key Achievements
- Received a Newbery Honor in 1960 for her children's fantasy novel 'The Gammage Cup.'
- Awarded the Mythopoeic Society's Aslan Award for her body of work in children's fantasy literature.
- Won the Ohioana Book Award for her contributions to literature.
- Authored the sequel 'The Whisper of Glocken,' continuing the story of the Minnipins.
Did You Know?
She was a graduate of Ohio University.
Her book 'The Gammage Cup' is sometimes described as a precursor to modern middle-grade fantasy.
She also wrote under her maiden name, Carol Seeger.
“The thing that makes a Minnipin is not his house or his clothes, but his mind.”
