girl who is rejected by her peers. While writing in different genres, including realistic fiction and fantasy, Alexander noted that the common theme in all her books is "the importance of feelings". Other activities In 1968 Alexander became a charter member of the Society of Children's Book Writers (later renamed Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). Alexander invested much time in building the organization and mentoring aspiring writers. She served as chair of the SCBWI advisory board for 33 years, coordinator of the Golden Kite Award for 25 years, joint coordinator of the annual Southern California SCBWI conference for 25 years, and Southern California office manager for 20 years. The organization expanded from an initial membership of three to more than 12,000 members by the time of her death. Alexander was also a board member of the Children's Literature Council of Southern California, and a member of the Friends of Children and Libraries and the California Readers' Association. She taught courses on picture book writing at the University of California, Los Angeles. From 1998 to 2007 she was a children's book reviewer for the Los Angeles Times. Awards and honors In 1980 Alexander received the Dorothy C. McKenzie Award from the Southern California Council of Literature for Children and Young People "for distinguished contributions to the field of children's literature". Her book Nadia the Willful received the Friends of Children and Libraries FOCAL Award for Outstanding Contributions to Children and Literature from the Los Angeles Central Library; the Notable Children's Book in the Field of Social Studies; the 1984 Children's Book of the Year from the Child Study Association; and the 1984 Distinguished Work of Fiction award from the Southern California Council of Literature for Children and Young People. In 1996 the international SCBWI established the Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award, which helps writers of new manuscripts connect with editors and agents. The Southern California branch of the SCBWI honored Alexander's contribution with the establishment of the Sue Alexander Service and Encouragement Award, which recognizes the organization's volunteers. Death and legacy Alexander died on July 3, 2008 at her home in West Hills, Los Angeles, at the age of 74. The Sue Alexander Papers, containing manuscripts, galleys, and correspondence related to Alexander's books and short stories, are housed at the De Grummond Children's Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi. Bibliography Alexander wrote the following books