(the short version)

Deborah Kerbel is the critically-acclaimed, award-winning author of twenty-nine books for young people. From graphic novels to non-fiction, picture books to middle grade and YA, her work has been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Forest of Reading 'Silver Birch Fiction Award', and the Canadian Library Association’s YA Book Award, among others. Born in a future police station in London, England and raised in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada, her favourite hobbies are reading, writing, cooking, and walking her dog. Deborah lives in Thornhill, Ontario with her husband, two grown kids, and a rescue Schnoodle named Freddie. 

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(the long version)

Deborah Kerbel is a critically-acclaimed, award-winning Canadian author of twenty-nine books for children of all ages. Her young adult and middle grade novels have been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association’s YA Book Award, the Diamond Willow Book Award, the Rocky Mountain Book Award, the Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award, and the Forest of Reading 'Silver Birch Fiction Award', among many others. Her debut graphic novel, Fred & Marjorie; a Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin, is an ALA Best Graphic Novel selection, a Junior Library Guild ‘Gold Standard’ selection, an NSTA & CBC ‘Outstanding Science Trade Book’ selection, an OLA ‘Best Bets’ Honourable Mention, and a 2023 BC Red Cedar Award and Forest of Reading ‘Yellow Cedar Award’ Winner. Her debut picture book, Sun Dog, was a 2019 Forest of Reading 'Blue Spruce Award' Honour Book, the winner of the 2019 IODE Jean Throop Book Award, and finalist for the 2020 Snow Willow Book Award. Her picture books Rainy Days and Next Door were Toronto Public Library’s ‘First and Best’ 2022 and 2023 selections. She’s also the recipient of the City of Vaughan’s 2011 R.A.V.E. Award for her work as a Literary Arts Educator and Mentor. She’s been a visiting author at numerous libraries across Ontario, a guest speaker at both national and international literary festivals across Canada (Wordfest; Word on the Street; the Festival of Trees; Luminato, Eden Mills Writer’s Festival), conferences (Packaging Your Imagination; Words, Words, Words) as well as judge and juror for provincial book awards and national youth writing competitions. Currently, Deborah has five more books scheduled for publication between 2025 - 2026.

In 1993, she graduated from Western University with a degree in English literature. Born in London, England, Deborah currently lives and writes in Thornhill, Ontario with her family and a rescue schnoodle named Freddie.