Grania O'Malley was born with the mark of a sailor and the light of the sea in her eye. As she grew, tales of her courage and heroic deeds traveled across Ireland. But when she came up against a ruthless governor, even fearless Grania was stymied. So she turns to a woman more powerful than she in this heart-stopping tale that's as big as the Irish Sea. "McCully writes with great flair and her sweeping watercolors capitalize on the historical drama....What a woman, what a tale." - Publishers Weekly, starred review "McCully introduces a 16th-century heroine who will offer educators an alternative to what is traditionally presented as a male 'occupation.'" - School Library Journal, starred review "Children intrigued by pirates will enjoy McCully's unusual picture book, which offers some insight into the history behind the legend and illuminates more than the life of Grania O'Malley." - Booklist Emily Arnold McCully lives in New York City and Chatham, New York.
Emily Arnold McCully was born left handed in Illinois and was transplanted to Long Island, where she grew up. A tree climber, bike rider, fort builder and ball player, she also devoted hours every day to reading and drawing. She majored in art history at college and acted and wrote for the theater. She lived in Europe for a year researching her Master's thesis, also in art history. Back in New York, she took to the streets with a portfolio of sample illustrations. Early assignments were for book jackets, magazine stories and pharmaceutical ads. A poster displayed in subway cars caught the attention of a children's book editor and a new career was launched. After illustrating other peoples' texts for several years and publishing two adult novels (A Craving and life Drawing) McCully began writing her own picture books.
She has been awarded the Caldecott Medal, Christopher Award, Jane Addams Award, O'Henry Award and many others.
She has two sons and lives in New York and Columbia County, N.Y., where she maintains a large garden.
