Author Jean Craighead George Dies at 92

Children's book author Jean Craighead George has died at age 92, according to a statement posted on her website.

She was author of books such as Julia of the Wolves and My Side of the Mountain, which won a Newberry Medal and declared a Newberry Honor book, respectively, according to her biography.

Her agent, Ginger Knowlton, said she died "peacefully and painlessly," according to a statement on her website.

George was a Chappaqua resident, according to Chappaqua Library Director Pamela Thornton. In September 2007, she was honored with "Jean Craighead George Day," Thornton said, and an honorary proclamation was declared by then-New Castle Supervisor Janet Wells.

"Many many residents and past residents came to speak about how she affected their lives and how they loved her books. We even had a white wolf here in her honor," Thornton recalled.

George's biography describes her as a lover of nature, having brought 173 different animals into her home, including mink, owls and tarantulas. The inspiration for Julia of the Wolves, according to George's online biography, came from a visit to Alaska, to the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory, with her son Luke, where wolves were being studied.

To read more about George, click here for her online biography.