Shallen Anne Chitwood
Author Biography
Shallen Anne Chitwood was born and raised in the Midwest. After earning her Master of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University, she moved to Tennessee, where she spent many years teaching elementary and middle grade students. She and her husband now live on a farm.
When she isn’t writing stories or poetry, Shallen can be found in the garden or caring for her furry and feathered friends. Her debut novel, Big Love and War Horse (for ages 14+), received the 2025 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal for Literary Fiction as well as a Literary Titan Gold Book Award.
Debut Novel
In the wake of the Great Depression, during the 1942 bombings off the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Deacon family has lost the life they knew before the Second World War. As the family and their closest friends struggle to make sense of the secrets they keep from one another, their dogs—Big Love and War Horse—help them find the strength and endurance to survive the aftermath of devastating loss and adversity.
Abandoned by their father, Luke, after the sudden death of their mother, fifteen-year-old Jonas and his younger sister Kay are coming of age in a world shrouded in secrecy and uncertainty. Luke’s sister Linnie steps in to help mend the broken family, but haunted by her own hidden truths, her life is shattered by the past.
Through the intimate perspectives of the Deacon family and their dogs, this intricately woven tale of tragedy and love reminds us of the power of the human spirit to rise above seemingly impossible circumstances. (Ages 14+)
Middle Grade Novel Coming Soon!
Corvus is a little crow with a big problem—he’s afraid to fly.
Clarence is a chatty caterpillar with big ideas. Together, these unlikely friends discover a world full of surprises, danger, and change.
Winter is coming, and a legendary one-eyed hawk is stalking the crow clan. Can Clarence help Corvus face his fears before it’s too late? With his family preparing to migrate south, Corvus must decide if he can trust his wings and himself.
When danger closes in, will Corvus find the courage to spread his wings when it matters most? Corvus learns that help can come from mysterious allies and unexpected friends.
Corvus is a heartfelt animal adventure about courage, friendship, and discovering who you are. (All Ages)