Doris Gates
Doris Gates was an influential American author born in Mountain View, California, in 1901. Growing up on a prune ranch near San Jose, her childhood experiences deeply informed her writing, with many of her novels set against the backdrop of California. Gates was educated at several institutions, including Fresno State College and the Los Angeles Library School, and worked as a children's librarian and book editor. Her debut novel, *Sarah's Idea* (1938), reflects a child's yearning for connection and belonging, while her most acclaimed work, *Blue Willow* (1940), addresses the struggles of a displaced migrant family during the Dust Bowl. This novel is notable for its poignant storytelling through the eyes of a young girl, showcasing themes of stability and resilience. Gates continued to write a variety of juvenile fiction that explored diverse themes and characters, including orphaned children and those from different social backgrounds. In addition to her realistic narratives, she also ventured into fantasy with works like *The Cat and Mrs. Cary* (1962). Her contributions to children's literature are characterized by strong character development, authentic settings, and a focus on important social issues, establishing her as a pioneer in the genre.
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Doris Gates
Children's book writer
- Born: November 26, 1901
- Birthplace: Moutain View, California
- Died: September 3, 1987
Biography
Doris Gates was born in Mountain View, California, in 1901. She grew up on a prune ranch near San Jose and spent most of her life in California, which provided the setting for many of her novels. She was educated at Fresno State College, the Los Angeles Library School, and Western Reserve University in Cleveland. In addition to being a writer, Gates was a children’s librarian in Fresno from 1930 until 1940, a children’s book editor for Ginn & Co, and a lecturer in the field of children’s literature.
Gates’s first novel, Sarah’s Idea (1938), is a partially autobiographical story about a nine-year-old girl who lives on a prune ranch and wants a pet burro. The novel, about the strength of a child’s wish, is set in the Santa Clara Valley, lending it a strong sense of place. Blue Willow (1940) is Gates’s most noteworthy book. It is about a family of migrant workers who have been displaced by the Dust Bowldrought and are looking for seasonal work in California. The novel grew out of Gates’s experiences with migrant children while she was working at the Fresno library. The story is told through the eyes of Janey Larkin, with an heirloom blue willow plate representing her longing for stability. The novel has been praised for its style, portrayal of courage, and landscape of the San Joaquin Valley. Blue Willow was a Newbery Honor Book in 1941 and is considered a children’s classic and the first realistic problem novel for children.
More juvenile fiction with an emphasis on theme, setting, and overcoming problems followed. Sensible Kate (1943) is about an orphaned girl and is noted for its lively plot and California setting. Trouble for Jerry (1944) is Gates’s first novel with a male main character. North Fork (1945) features another California setting and themes of conservation and respect for Native American culture. The hero of My Brother Mike (1948) is the son of a former convict. River Ranch (1949) has an exciting plot and is set in the California ranch country. Little Vic (1951) takes place at the Santa Anita Racetrack, features an African American main character, and won the William Allen White Children’s Book Award in 1954.
Gates’s ability to write in different styles and genres is evident in The Cat and Mrs. Cary (1962), a fantasy with some autobiographical elements that is set at a cliffside house overlooking the sea in Carmel, California, and in The Elderberry Bush (1967), a charming series of anecdotes from Gates’s childhood on the prune ranch. Through the 1970’s, Gates wrote a series of six books retelling Greek myths for children. With A Morgan for Melinda (1980), she returned to a more realistic story, with a theme of courage. Gates made a solid contribution to the field of American children’s literature. She is noted for her style, versatility, strong plots and character development, and authentic settings. Her books were among the first to examine important themes within the genre of children’s literature and to feature children from a range of economic, social, and racial backgrounds.