Mary Stolz (Born March 24, 1920 in Boston, Massachusetts) is a writer. She attended the Birch Wathen School in New York City where she concentrated on the study of literature and history. She attended Columbia University from 1936 to 1938. Stolz married at the age of eighteen and for years stopped writing in order to devote time to housekeeping and to her young son Bill. Shortly after her marriage, she began experiencing chronic pain which grew worse, and by 1949, was confined to her home by her doctor. It was suggested that she take up writing during the time that she was confined to bed in order to keep her occupied. Stolz's illness eventually disappeared, though her writing capabilities remained thereafter. Stolz divorced her first husband in 1956, and married her doctor in 1965.
Her literary works range from picture books to young-adult novels. Although most of Stolz's books are fictional, (written for children and teenagers), she has made a few contributions to magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Ladies' Home Journal, and Seventeen. In 1982 Stolz received a George G. Stone Recognition of Merit Award as well as two Newbery Honors. Stolz's books have been published in nearly thirty languages.
