Lara Strong

Lara Strong is an American writer of historical fiction, with a particular interest in the history of Long Island and its native people. Her first published work was "Quashawam, Sunksquaw of the Shinnecock" (The Long Island Historical Journal, Spring 1991), which profiled an important Long Island historical figure.

This spring her first novel for young adults, Spirit of the Turtle, was published by Paumanok Press. The novel tells the story of a young Unkechaug boy from Long Island's Poospatuck Reservation, who signs on to a whaling voyage in hopes of helping his family and making his way in the world. Set in the 19th century, the novel brings to life an exciting period in American history, when a life at sea offered hope and adventure to those down on their luck.

Lara's essays have appeared in the online journal Literary Mama and the award-winning Brain, Child Magazine. Her short story "Dust," which focuses on two characters, Grandma and Liza, from Spirit of the Turtle, was first published by Wilderness House Literary Review.

While writing Spirit of the Turtle, Lara worked closely with Unkechaug elder Mary Treadwell and received the full support of the Unkechaug Nation Development Corporation.

For more on the novel, see the website: spiritoftheturtle.com