Natale Ghent…
is an award-winning journalist and author. Her work has
been critically acclaimed, garnering awards and recognition
internationally
* * *
I was born in..
Brookfield, Illinois, near Chicago. I am the second youngest of five children, four girls and a boy. My brother, Mark, is the oldest.
As a child, I loved everything to do with puppets, magic and science. I used to put on puppet shows and magic acts for my
mom and sisters and cousins. I thought that I could be a magician when I grew up. I also liked to conduct experiments with my microscope, mostly involving paramecium and other microscopic creatures. I used to enjoy inventing stories as well. My aunt, who was also my godmother, encouraged me to write my stories down. She bought me several spiral-ring notebooks and told me to fill them, which I did.
At the age of seven, my family moved to Woodstock, Ontario. We left all my aunts and uncles and friends behind for a new life in the country. We didn’t mind so much, because we got to rent a gigantic stone farmhouse and have horses and pets of all kinds. We learned how to ride and fend for ourselves in those days.
When I grew up, I studied English Literature at the University of Guelph. I loved to read and I especially loved to write. But it wasn’t until I moved to California that I considered the idea of a writing career. While working as a writer for several publications, I studied communications and novel writing at the University of California, San Diego.
Eventually I moved back to Canada to study Landscape Architecture at the University of Guelph. It was a practical move to secure a profession and ensure stability. I enjoyed the masters program immensely, but my studies helped me to realize that writing is my first love. I left the program and finished two novels in one year. One was picked up by Orca Book Publishers in Vancouver. That novel was Piper. Since then, I haven’t stopped writing. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Dear Ms. Ghent
I was just wondering whether you were attending the forest of reading celebration on May 11 2011 at Harbour front. I read No Small Thing and loved it and I am reading Gravity brings me down. So far I am enjoying it. I was also wondering how you pronounce your last name? I haven’t always been sure on how.
Sincerely, Adriyanna Zimmermann
Hi Adriyanna,
I’m so happy you loved No Small Thing!
I will be at the White Pine celebration this year for Gravity. Come over and say hi!
My last name is pronounced with a hard “g” as in “get” – but with an “n”
i am 11 and i love your books my teacher told me to write a book report and in one of my questions is where do you live now days
Hi,
I live in Canada. Good luck on your report!
Hi Natale,
I´m sure you will be happy to hear my daughter will be do tomorrow a presentation of “Life sucks” and of course of you. It´s impossible to find any details of you and the book in german language. So I´m proud she nevertheless want to make the presentation of THIS book. Keep the fingers crossed for her. (:o)
Hi Michaela,
I’m thrilled that your daughter chose my book for her presentation. My fingers are crossed!
Let me know how it goes!
i am in grade 7 and 11 years old and love the book and love the book
You are the author of No Small Thing, right? I love horses and that was the best book I have ever read!!!!!
Yes, I am
So glad you liked the book!
HELO, IM IN 7TH GRADE AND I’M 13. OMG THE BOOK “NO SMALL THING” WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I HAD TO DO A BOOK PROJECT ON IT, WELL I AM ACTUALLY PRESENTING IT ON MONDAY. I AM SO UBSESSED WITH HORSES AND THIS BOOK WAS TERRIFIC! I ALSO DO HORSE BACK RIDING TOO……..ANYWAY, I REALLY ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK. I HAVE NOW JUST STARTED READING “LIFE SUCKS” AND IT SEEMS PRETTY COOL=D HAVE A GREAT DAY AND DON’T FORGET TO WRITE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
hi this is melissa again. i was just wondering when was the book “no small thing” written? (its for my book report)
hi, im in 7th grade and im 13. i just finished reading “no small thing” for my book report which i present on monday. this book was terrific. im upsessed with horses so this book was the best. i also do horseback riding too………….anyway please write back. also, when was this book written(its for my book report) thanks!!!!
Im a 14 year old girl and the books No Small thing and All The way home are lovely ! i’ve read them both over atleast 4 times each.
Wow, thanks so much, Sierra. I’m so happy you liked them.
Dear Natale Ghent,
I read Gravity Brings Me Down for my school project this semester (read it over about three times) and it was absolutely amazing! I really like your style of writing. I need to do a sort of biography on you as part of the project, so if you have the time could you perhaps tell me your birthday? I couldn’t find a lot of info on your biography, your website’s the best by far.
Thanks
Thanks, Avneet!!
Sorry, I just saw this! Hope you did ok on your project!
Dear Ghent Natale,
Im obsessed with your book No Small Thing
i read it at least 9 times!!!
im 9 years old and im in 4rth grade
Hope you will read my letter
i saw the book in my school library and i dont think anyone read it
it is my favorite book!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Heyyyyy thank you, that is so cool
dear natale,what other kind of books do you write? ive read only one (no small thing)and i love it!!!!!!
Hi, Roshni,
Well, there is a sequel to No Small Thing that you may like. It’s called All The Way Home. I also wrote Piper (about a dog) and The Odds books (about three kids). The others are teen novels.
awesome! ill look it up in the library
Yay!
I loved the book THE ODDS GET EVEN!!!!!!!!! IT IS AMAZING! How did you come up with the idea in that book?
hi, eierschlacht mit furzkanone became imediately the favourite book of my 6 year old son…and i love it too! we borrowed it from the local library! GREETS FROM GERMANY!
Hello from Canada!
Thank you for the lovely note. I’m thrilled that you and your son liked the story!
Best wishes!
Natale
Hi, Emily! I just saw your message now! Thank you so much for the lovely note! I’m so happy you loved The Odds Get Even!
I got the idea from my sister’s experience when she was young. She had a bully. I thought it would be interesting to see what would happen if kids used science and their creativity to solve the problem.
Thanks again for writing!!
Natale