About
Michael LaPenna
Michael LaPenna grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts and attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He later earned a master’s degree in American literature from Salem State University.
For 34 years, Michael taught secondary school English at a public school north of Boston, where he also coached basketball and baseball.
Since retiring, Michael has turned his attention to stories for young readers. His LaRosa Sisters series follows Catherine and Susanna Mae as they solve mysteries and wrestle with questions about honesty, friendship, and faith.
Michael and his wife, Patti, live in upstate South Carolina and spend part of each year in western Maine and southeastern Florida. Away from his writing desk, he enjoys visiting his three granddaughters, splitting wood, reading, and keeping up with Boston sports.
In his words
Why I write
My goal is to write children’s stories that are not for children only. I try to create entertaining tales filled with mystery, adventure and humor that also invite the reader to ponder more deeply the mystery and wonder of life.
What unites all these narratives, at their deepest level, is the idea that suffering can become fertile soil for character development and spiritual growth. That out of the ashes of failed hopes and dreams can arise a greater good.
In short, I want to write poignant stories that depict the reality of life’s challenges and moral dilemmas but that ultimately inspire the reader with endings that are uplifting and hopeful.