Doris Buchanan Smith
Doris Buchanan Smith, born on June 1, 1934, in Washington, D.C., is an accomplished author known for her impactful novels that address complex issues faced by young people. She began her writing career in 1971 and has since crafted stories that tackle themes such as juvenile delinquency, child abuse, religious conflict, and the challenges of growing up in a diverse society. Notable works include "A Taste of Blueberries," which explores themes of guilt and loss, and "Salted Lemons," set during World War II, highlighting issues of tolerance and friendship amid prejudice.
Her writing is characterized by a realistic portrayal of life's difficulties without offering simplistic solutions; characters often learn to navigate their struggles rather than completely resolve them. Smith's contributions to literature have been recognized with multiple awards, including the American Library Association Notable Book Award and the Georgia General Author of the Year. Through her narratives, Smith reflects a deep understanding of the adolescent experience, making her work both relatable and thought-provoking for readers of all backgrounds.
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Subject Terms
Doris Buchanan Smith
Fiction Writer
- Born: June 1, 1934
- Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
- Died: August 8, 2002
- Place of death: Atlanta, Georgia
Biography
Doris Buchanan Smith was born June 1, 1934, in Washington, D.C. She attended South Georgia College in Douglas. In 1954, she married R.Caroll Smith. They had four sons and one daughter, but divorced in 1977.
A writer since 1971, Smith’s novels focus on difficult issues that young people face in real life, from juvenile delinquency and child abuse to unwed mothers and domineering stepparents,. No pat solutions are provided, although characters do learn to adjust to the problems they must live with. For example, A Taste of Blueberries broke ground in dealing directly with the guilt and loss resulting from the death of a narrator’s playmate. Dyslexia is the topic of Kelly’s Creek. Nine-year-old Kelly O’Brien develops confidence and an interest in learning when a college student arrives to do research on the tidal creek behind the O’Brien home.
Salted Lemons, set in 1943 Atlanta, Georgia, focuses on tolerance and friendship. Ten-year-old Darby is ostracized as a Yankee from Washington, D.C. She befriends another outcast, Yoko, but soon learns about prejudice when Yoko’s family is sent a Japanese interment camp in Florida. Religious convictions of various characters, including the extremes of her father’s agnosticism and her mother’s conservative Methodist background, meld together as Darby learns to make senses of her life and relate to these characters. Severe religious and family conflicts are the focus of Laura Upside-Down. The struggle to relate to those with vastly different cultural and economic background is reflected again in The Pennywhistle Tree.
Smith won numerous awards, including the American Library Association Notable Book Award in 1973 for A Taste of Blueberries. This book also earned both the Georgia General Author of the Year and the Georgia Children’s Book Author of the Year in 1974. She received the latter for Kelly’s Creek, 1975, and Last was Lloyd, 1982. Return to Bitter Creek received the Parents’ Choice Literature award in 1986.
Smith wrote with honesty about real problems faced by her characters, despite gender and age. Happy endings are not forced and neat solutions do not always occur, accurately reflecting the reality of the teen experience.