The Formative Years of Irene Hunt

Born on a warm spring day, May 18, 1907, in the quaint town of Newton, Illinois, Irene Hunt entered the world as the daughter of Franklin P. and Sarah Land Hunt. Her early education unfolded among the southern Illinois schools, laying a solid educational foundation. By 1939, she proudly achieved a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1946. Before venturing into higher academia, Hunt devoted her career to teaching French and English from 1930 to 1945 in the public schools of Oak Park, Illinois. After obtaining her master’s, she embarked on a new journey as a psychology instructor at the University of South Dakota (1946-1950). Her commitment to education continued as she became a beloved teacher (1950-1965) and eventually directed language arts (1965-1969) in Cicero, Illinois's public schools. Since the mid-1960s, Hunt has embraced the path of a writer.

A Literary Legacy in Historical Fiction

Irene Hunt's illustrious writing career was launched with the critically acclaimed historical novel, Across Five Aprils, set against the backdrop of the Civil War. Her passion for weaving historical narratives persisted in works like Trail of Apple Blossoms, which transported readers to the days of the American pioneers, and No Promises in the Wind, capturing the stark realities of the Great Depression. Yet, Hunt’s legacy is marked by her thoughtful and poignant portrayal of youth coming of age. She crafted unforgettable characters such as Julie Trelling in Up a Road Slowly, the rebellious Grondowski brothers in No Promises in the Wind, and the deeply scarred George Burgess in The Lottery Rose.

Accolades and Honors

Hunt's literary masterpieces have garnered widespread critical acclaim, with the most celebrated perhaps being Up a Road Slowly, honored with the Newbery Medal in 1967. Hot on its heels in fame is Across Five Aprils, which was the distinguished runner-up for the 1965 Newbery Medal. This beloved work also earned the 1964 Charles W. Follett Award and was marked as an American Notable Book in 1965. Hunt's craft continued to be recognized with the Friends of Literature Award and another Charles W. Follett Award in 1971 for No Promises in the Wind. In 1974, she was nominated for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award, celebrating her outstanding contributions to literature for young readers.