Doris Gates (1901–1987)
Author of Blue Willow
About the Author
Image credit: From Wikipedia, no copyright
Series
Works by Doris Gates
Boys and Girls (1 vol Stock no.661) 4 copies
In the City 2 copies
All for Fun 2 copies
Animals (1 vol Stock no.659) 2 copies
Huset under de blå Pile 1 copy
Associated Works
Treasure Island Trek; Children's Author & Illustrator Festival Saturday Oct, 18, 1969 — Contributor, some editions — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1901-11-26
- Date of death
- 1987-09-03
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Fresno State Teachers College
Los Angeles Library School
Western Reserve University - Occupations
- librarian
children's book author - Awards and honors
- Doris Gates Room, Central Library, Fresno Public Library System
- Relationships
- Gates, Charles Obed (father)
Gates, Bessie Louise Jones (mother)
Gates, Laura (half sister)
Gates, Charles (sister) - Short biography
- Doris Gates was born in Mountain View CA, to Charles Obed and Bessie Jones Gates. She was the oldest of two daughters born to them. She also had an older sister, Laura Gates born from a previous marriage of her father, whose wife died while they lived in Hustisford, WI.
Doris grew up largely on her family's prune orchard in San Jose, CA which was a joint family operation and from which she would later, loosely base a few of her novels on. In her teens, her family moved to Fresno, CA where she would live into her late 30's and would then move to Monterey/Carmel CA.
Doris attended various colleges and earned degrees in Children's Literature. She worked for the Fresno County Free Library for many years and authored many children's novels. She was considered a renowned author of her times for writing groundbreaking children's novels addressing realistic problems of children. She was well known for the book "Blue Willow".
She also hosted a radio program in Fresno, CA telling children's stories on air. She was also a well known visiting lecturer to many colleges including UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSF and also spoke around the country at various Libraries.
Doris was married briefly in 1942 to William Herbert Hall. They had no children. - Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Mountain View, California, USA
- Places of residence
- Mountain View, California, USA (birth)
- Place of death
- Carmel, California, USA
- Burial location
- Wildcat Cove, Carmel, CA (ashes scattered)
- Associated Place (for map)
- California, USA
Members
Discussions
A girl, about 12 years old, her family picks fruit (migrant workers) and she longs for a house to li in Name that Book (August 2012)
Reviews
Ten-year-old Janey Larkin, the daughter of migrant farm workers in Great Depression-era California, clings to the beautiful blue willow plate that once belonged to her mother in this poignant children's novel. As the Larkins settle into a shack in the San Joaquin Valley, while Mr. Larkin goes to work in the cotton fields, Janey befriends Lupe Romero, who lives in the shack opposite the Larkins, and goes to the field school run by Miss Peterson. Slowly, Janey begins to feel that this is a show more place she could call home and put down roots. But when her step-mother becomes ill and work dries up, it looks like the Larkins will have to move on once more. Can the willow plate, a symbol of Janey's deepest desire for a home and a sense of belonging, save her and her family...?
Published in 1940, Blue Willow was chosen as one of four Newbery Honor books in 1941—other Honor Books that year included Young Mac of Fort Vancouver by Mary Jane Carr, The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Nansen by Anna Gertrude Hall, while the Medal Winner was Armstrong Perry's Call it Courage—and it is not difficult to see why. Doris Gates, who worked for many years as a children's librarian in the San Joaquin Valley, spins an immensely engaging and moving story, beautifully capturing Janey's rich inner life, from her changing perception of her wonderful step-mother, Mom, to her puzzling over her father's words on courage, and her discovery of the joys of true friendship with Lupe. This latter is quite interesting, in that it is the earliest example I have encountered, in the pages of popular children's literature, of a genuine friendship across racial and ethnic divides. There were one or two moments that I found dated—Janey wondering why Lupe would prefer a dress that made her look darker, for instance—but on the whole I thought this aspect of the story was very progressive for its time, treating the two friends as equals, delving into Lupe's perspective, and highlighting her many good qualities without making her a saint. The happy ending of the story, while perhaps a tad unrealistic, is nevertheless deeply satisfying.
All in all, I found Blue Willow a wonderful book, and would recommend it to upper primary and lower middle-grade readers who enjoy historical stories, or who are looking for heartwarming tales of children finding a home and happiness. Thematically, it is very similar to Zilpha Keatley Snyder's The Velvet Room, which I have also read and loved, and could be read in tandem with that book. show less
Published in 1940, Blue Willow was chosen as one of four Newbery Honor books in 1941—other Honor Books that year included Young Mac of Fort Vancouver by Mary Jane Carr, The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Nansen by Anna Gertrude Hall, while the Medal Winner was Armstrong Perry's Call it Courage—and it is not difficult to see why. Doris Gates, who worked for many years as a children's librarian in the San Joaquin Valley, spins an immensely engaging and moving story, beautifully capturing Janey's rich inner life, from her changing perception of her wonderful step-mother, Mom, to her puzzling over her father's words on courage, and her discovery of the joys of true friendship with Lupe. This latter is quite interesting, in that it is the earliest example I have encountered, in the pages of popular children's literature, of a genuine friendship across racial and ethnic divides. There were one or two moments that I found dated—Janey wondering why Lupe would prefer a dress that made her look darker, for instance—but on the whole I thought this aspect of the story was very progressive for its time, treating the two friends as equals, delving into Lupe's perspective, and highlighting her many good qualities without making her a saint. The happy ending of the story, while perhaps a tad unrealistic, is nevertheless deeply satisfying.
All in all, I found Blue Willow a wonderful book, and would recommend it to upper primary and lower middle-grade readers who enjoy historical stories, or who are looking for heartwarming tales of children finding a home and happiness. Thematically, it is very similar to Zilpha Keatley Snyder's The Velvet Room, which I have also read and loved, and could be read in tandem with that book. show less
Janey Larkin and her parents have moved around a lot over the last few years as her father follows the harvest. Most recently, they've found a shack in the San Joaquin valley and a job picking cotton. The only thing Janey owns of value is a blue willow plate that was in the family for generations. As Janey makes friends with Lupe Romero, she starts to wish that they could settle here for good.
This Newbery Honor book from 1940 was a mixed bag for me. It's praised for being one of the first show more children's literature of its kind, focusing on migrant workers, having a problem the child addresses, and including Mexican Americans one of whom is Janey's best friend. However, for today's sensibilities it's also very much of its time: a little slow to start, moralizing, having a happy ending that stretches credulity, and including some casual racism (a dress Lupe wears makes her look "darker" but Janey chooses not to mention it) and sexism. show less
This Newbery Honor book from 1940 was a mixed bag for me. It's praised for being one of the first show more children's literature of its kind, focusing on migrant workers, having a problem the child addresses, and including Mexican Americans one of whom is Janey's best friend. However, for today's sensibilities it's also very much of its time: a little slow to start, moralizing, having a happy ending that stretches credulity, and including some casual racism (a dress Lupe wears makes her look "darker" but Janey chooses not to mention it) and sexism. show less
A child of migrant workers longs for a stable home. This book has perceptive characterization, well-defined conflict, and a strong plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The ending might strike some as a little too rosy, but it fits the story well, in my opinion, and will appeal to young readers without their losing a sense of empathy for a situation they might know little about.
I'm glad I read this based on prior positive experience with both author and illustrator (and not from reviews). Since the fact that Pony is 'colored' isn't revealed until 2/3 through , the reviews that mention it derail Gates' strategy. Gates' wanted readers to get to know Pony as a person, undefined by his race, and thereby if any had parents like Hill's, they'd have a chance to learn that they don't need to think like their racist parents . Yes, a little earnest, a little implausible, but show more that's because it was by Gates ([b:Blue Willow|16104058|Blue Willow|Doris Gates|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1350998229l/16104058._SX50_.jpg|1285813], etc.) and written in that era when children's authors and librarians were motivated to 'improve the minds' of the youth they 'served.'
This is a substantial book for younger readers - not as intimidating (as I found) [b:The Black Stallion|272895|The Black Stallion (The Black Stallion, #1)|Walter Farley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1173319066l/272895._SX50_.jpg|671846], for example. Engaging; I read it in one sitting. The drawings were more free, more sketchy, than Seredy's more famous work ([b:The Good Master|258038|The Good Master |Kate Seredy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386921616l/258038._SY75_.jpg|250092], etc.) but still wonderful, especially for horse lovers but for any student who wants to learn how to portray strength and grace. I would absolutely have adored this book when I was a child and definitely want to continue to read more by both author and illustrator, if I can find them. show less
This is a substantial book for younger readers - not as intimidating (as I found) [b:The Black Stallion|272895|The Black Stallion (The Black Stallion, #1)|Walter Farley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1173319066l/272895._SX50_.jpg|671846], for example. Engaging; I read it in one sitting. The drawings were more free, more sketchy, than Seredy's more famous work ([b:The Good Master|258038|The Good Master |Kate Seredy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386921616l/258038._SY75_.jpg|250092], etc.) but still wonderful, especially for horse lovers but for any student who wants to learn how to portray strength and grace. I would absolutely have adored this book when I was a child and definitely want to continue to read more by both author and illustrator, if I can find them. show less
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- Rating
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