The Early Years

In the bustling capital of Washington, D.C., Frances Temple entered the world in 1945, the daughter of Frederick and Lindsay Crumpler Nolting. Her father's diplomatic career painted an early backdrop of global awareness. She embarked on her academic journey at Wellesley College between 1963 and 1965 before joining the Peace Corps. This path took her to Sierra Leone in West Africa from 1965 to 1967. With a thirst for knowledge, she enrolled at the University of North Carolina, where she achieved a B.A. in English and African Studies in 1969. Her commitment to service led her to work with VISTA in Virginia from 1970 to 1974, where she tirelessly found homes and health services for families in need. In 1976, she enriched her expertise with an M.Ed. from the University of Virginia. A few years later, from 1983 to 1995, she dedicated herself to teaching second grade at Children's Hours School in Geneva, New York. Between 1990 and 1995, her passion for education blossomed into several books on teaching writing to youngsters and novels crafted for young minds.

Family and Adventures

On a summer's day, July 19, 1969, Frances Nolting wed Charles Temple, an esteemed education professor and author. Their union was blessed with three children: Anna Brooke, Jessica, and Tyler. Together, they embarked on a journey not only of family life but of exploration, with travels to England, Spain, Portugal, Haiti, Jamaica, and the vast lands of Africa. Their travels were balanced by the tranquility of their home in Geneva, New York, nestled near the Canadian frontier.

The Journey to Writing

A spirited elementary teacher, Temple embraced creativity by writing alongside her students during free-writing sessions. However, her students often pointed out her unfinished stories, longing to know, "What happens next?" Their curiosity ignited Temple's determination to evolve from mentor to a serious author.

The Pilgrim Way and Beyond

During an insightful journey to Spain with her husband and his students, Temple traversed the historic Pilgrim Way to Santiago de Compostela. This sparked her fascination with medieval customs and conflicts. In 1987, she penned a historical romance titled The Ramsay Scallop. Despite her efforts, publishers initially rejected the manuscript, doubting readers' interest in its 1299 setting intertwined with themes of medieval social and religious groups. Undeterred, Temple shelved the project and turned her creativity toward new horizons.

A New Narrative in the Dominican Republic

In 1990, Temple, alongside her husband, immersed herself in the vibrant culture of the Dominican Republic for six months. There, she encountered young Haitian agricultural workers, whose stories of terror under Dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier moved her deeply. Inspired, she crafted a novel portraying Haiti's struggle for democracy under Jean-Bertrand Aristide, titled Taste of Salt: A Story of Modern Haiti. This narrative intricately weaves the life of Djo, a street child, with that of Jeremie, a convent-raised young woman. The title symbolically references the voodoo belief that salt liberates zombies, paralleling the Haitians' quest for democracy as a means of escape from their oppressive plight.

Aiding Refugees and Writing Stories

Temple's subsequent inspiration arose from her family's experience with Salvadoran refugees who briefly shared their home in Geneva, New York. This real-life encounter gave birth to Grab Hands and Run, a poignant tale of a family fleeing El Salvador's political persecution, following Jacinto's directive as Felipe, Romy, and Paloma "Grab Hands and Run" to Canadian safety. The authenticity and depth of her novels earned critical acclaim.

Legacy and Final Works

As Temple's literary reputation flourished, interest in her historical novel, The Ramsay Scallop, reignited. It became an ALA Best Book for Young Adults in 1994. Continuing her creative journey, she penned Tiger Soup: An Anansi Story from Jamaica in 1995, where a clever African spider outwits a tiger. That same year, she wrote Tonight, by Sea, a gripping tale of boat people fleeing Haiti following Aristide's overthrow. After finalizing The Bedouin's Gazelle, the first in an envisioned series exploring North African and Islamic themes, Temple's promising career was abruptly concluded. While walking with her husband, she succumbed to a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy of impactful and inspiring stories.