Valerie Sherrard

Canadian writer

Valerie Anne Sherrard (née Russell: born May 16, 1957) is a Canadian author of books for children and young adults including the novels The Glory Wind, Kate, Speechless and the Shelby Belgarden mystery series.

Sherrard was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to Bob and Pauline Russell and raised in various parts of Canada. She has two brothers, Danny and Andrew. When living in Lahr, West Germany, in the sixth grade, her homeroom teacher, Alf Lower, inspired her to become a writer.

The Glory Wind won the 2011 Geoffrey Bilson Award, the Ann Connor Brimer Award and was shortlisted for other awards, including the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, and the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award. Sherrard's novel in free verse, Counting Back from Nine, was nominated for a 2013 Governor General's Award in the Children's Text category. Sherrard's picture books include There's a Cow Under my Bed that was illustrated by Canadian Illustrator David Jardine and Miss Wondergem's Dreadfully Dreadful Pie that was illustrated by Canadian Illustrator Wendy J. Whittingham. Sherrard's 2007 historical novel, Three Million Acres of Flame, is about the 1825 Miramichi Fire, the largest recorded land fire in North American history.

Sherrard currently lives in Miramichi, New Brunswick, with her husband, Brent, who is also an author. Sherrard previously was the executive director of a group home for adolescents. While raising her own three children, Anthony, Rebecca (deceased) and Pamela, she was a foster parent to approximately seventy teenagers.