Award-winning writer Joann Mazzio has made her mark in children's literature, but she also produces a steady mixture of fiction and nonfiction for mainstream magazines.
Her two young-adult novels, published by Houghton Mifflin, are used extensively in English classes across the United States. The One Who Came Back was nominated for an Edgar by the Mystery Writers of America. Leaving El Dorado was named Best Western Juvenile by the Western Writers of America. It has been optioned for a movie. Both books have been recommended by the American Library Association and included on many state reading lists, and both have been published in Europe and selected for European book clubs.
Mazzio's numerous stories in children's magazines such as Cricket have been reprinted in textbooks and anthologies in this country and abroad. Her writing is frequently used in reading comprehension test materials.
On the subject matter in her writing, Mazzio says, "I'm interested in a wide range of subjects. A degree in aeronautical engineering and years of work in that field have sustained my interest in science. My fifteen years as a high school math teacher taught me a lot about young people."
Mazzio lives in the old gold-mining town of Pinos Altos, NM, and divides her time between full-time writing and travel.
Visit Joann's web site at http://www.mazziojoann.com
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The village of 300 people is 65 miles northwest of Silver City on US 180, and is 39 miles south of Reserve. The first house was built there in 1878 when this spot was called the Bush Ranch. Later, it was named White Water for the creek that runs through it. As a stage stop, it was called Glenwood Springs. The name of Glenwood was bestowed in 1901.
New Mexico's first powered airplane flight took place in 1909 near Glenwood. The owner of the stage stop built a plane which landed on what is now called Whitewater Mesa.
At 4,700 feet, Glenwood looks up to the Mogollon Mountains to the east. Mining in the mountains has always affected Glenwood. One of the biggest tourist attractions today is the Catwalk in beautiful Whitewater Canyon. A mere five paved miles from the village, this historic remnant of the short-lived mining town of Graham records 29,000 visitors a year, either using the trail or the picnic area at the mouth of the canyon.
Cooney's Tomb is also visited by the curious, who drive seven miles north of Glenwood to the southern outskirts of Alma, turn right on a dirt road and five miles later see a huge boulder smack-dab beside the road. Inside is sealed the body of James C. Cooney who discovered gold ore in the Mogollons in the 1870's, and was killed on this spot in 1880 by Apaches.
In the mountains, about 15 miles from Glenwood, is the old mining town of Mogollon. From here, roads lead into the heart of the Gila National Forest.
Glenwood has been called a sportsman's paradise. The Glenwood State Trout Hatchery is located a short distance from the center of the village. Picnic tables and an obliging staff make this an interesting stop for children. Birders should be on the watch for great blue heron. Also in the area are Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, mule deer, and elk.
At the end of a day in the pristine outdoors, birders, hunters, fishermen, hikers, and just plain sightseers can relax and enjoy food and lodging in Glenwood's welcoming motels and restaurants.