Mindy Nichols Wendell
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Mindy Nichols Wendell comes from a long line of teachers and storytellers. She learned to read at an early age and has never stopped. Beginning in fourth grade, Mindy failed every eye test she took for the next six years. The ophthalmologist advised her to stop reading so much. Luckily, Mindy’s parents disagreed and just kept buying her new glasses.
For more than thirty years, Mindy taught courses in literature and writing to thousands of students, many of whom now have classrooms of their own. Mindy is a strong advocate for children and believes everything teachers do in the classroom should help kids become joyful, active, lifelong readers and writers. In 2019, Mindy received the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Mindy retired from teaching in 2021 and is now a full-time writer. She lives in Western New York with her husband, Steve, a retired elementary school teacher. She has six grown kids and kids-in-law and five adorable grandchildren. LIGHT AND AIR (Holiday House) is the story of ten-year-old Hallelujah Newton and her search for hope and healing in a tuberculosis sanatorium in 1935. LIGHT AND AIR is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. CALIFORNIA OR DUST (Holiday House) is the story of eleven-year-old Meadowlark Jensen whose family has fled the Oklahoma Dust Bowl in hopes of finding a better life in California. Unfortunately, the reception they receive when they arrive is less than sunny. In fact, it’s downright hostile. CALIFORNIA OR DUST is scheduled for publication by Holiday House in the spring of 2026. Mindy is represented by Michelle Hauck. Publications
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BlueSky: @mnwendell.bsky.social
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