Barbara Lynne Park (formerly Tidswell; April 21, 1947 – November 15, 2013) was an American author of children's books. Life and career Barbara Park was the daughter of a merchant and a secretary, Doris and Brooke Tidswell. She and her older brother grew up in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Park graduated from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in 1965. From 1965 to 1967, she attended Rider College, finishing her Bachelor of Science in 1969 at the University of Alabama. She married Richard A. Park in 1969. She lived in Phoenix, Arizona for almost 30 years and had two sons, Steven and David. The couple had two grandsons. She was the author of the popular Junie B. Jones children's books. The series was aimed at young readers and included around 30 different titles. The series has sold over 55 million copies in North America alone. She also wrote many middle-grade novels, such as The Kid in the Red Jacket. Park won seven Children's Choice Awards and four Parents' Choice Awards. Death Park died on November 15, 2013, at her home in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 66, from ovarian cancer. Works References External links Junie B. Jones at publisher Random House 1981–2013 1947 births 2013 deaths American children's writers Deaths from cancer in Arizona People from Mount Holly, New Jersey Deaths from ovarian cancer Rancocas Valley Regional High School alumni Rider University alumni University of Alabama alumni Writers from Phoenix, Arizona Writers from New Jersey