Margaret Sutton (1903-2001) published her first Judy Bolton mysteries in 1932. The original series, 38 volumes, lasted until 1967, making it the longest lasting juvenile series written by a single author. The books are noted not only for their engaging plots and thrilling stories, but also for their realism and social commentary. To many young girls Judy was an ideal role model—smart, capable, courageous, nurturing and always unwavering in her core beliefs.
Based on conversations with the author and her family plus extensive research, co-authors Kate Duvall and Beverly Hatfield wrote the last book in the series, “The Strange Likeness” which was published in 2012, based on Margaret Sutton’s suggested title and plans for the future of the series. The book was edited by the author’s daughter, Lindsay Sutton Stroh, and illustrated by another daughter, Marjorie Sutton Eckstein. An annual Judy Bolton weekend is held each October in the author's hometown, Coudersport, Pennsylvania. More information at www.JudyBolton.com and www.MargaretSuttonBooks.com.
"The Talking Snowman" is a Judy Bolton mystery co-authored by Margaret Sutton and Linda Joy Singleton and published independently in 1997.
In addition to the Judy Bolton Mysteries, the author published historical novels, juvenile mysteries and children’s books and taught creative writing. In 2020, the author's daughters Marjorie Eckstein and Lindsay Stroh revised and published their mother's alphabet stories, Letters To Live By.
Other writings: The Magic Makers and the Bramble Bush Man, Grosset, 1936; The Magic Makers and the Golden Charitz, Grosset, 1936; The Magic Makers in Backwards Land, Grosset, 1936; (under pseudonym Irene Ray) Kay Darcy and the Mystery Hideout, Whitman, 1937; (with Pelagie Doane) Baby's Day in Rhymes and Pictures, Grosset, 1938; Summer on the Farm, Grosset, 1938; Lollypop: The True Story of a Little Dog, Grosset, 1939; A Shepherd Boy of Australia, Grosset, 1941; Jemima, Daughter of Daniel Boone, Scribner, 1942; Tommy True: A Little Boy Who Was Hungry, Oxford University Press, 1942; Two Boys of the Ohio Valley, Grosset, 1943; Gail Gardner Wins Her Cap, Dodd, 1944; Gail Gardner, Junior Cadet Nurse, Dodd, 1945; The Haunted Apartment, Dodd, 1946, Who Will Play With Me?, Grosset, 1953; Palace Wagon Family, Knopf, 1957; The Weed Walk, Putnam, 1965. Author of several texts and adaptations. Ghost writer (under the name of Charles Tritten) of Heidi Grows Up, Heidi’s Children, Heidi’s Friends, Grosset & Dunlap.
