Sharon M. Draper By griseldarodriguez Apr 11, 1952 Birtdate in Cleveland,OH In Cleveland,OH Jan 1, 1994 First Book Published "Tears of a Tiger" Jan 1, 1997 National Teacher of the Year Jan 1, 1997 'Forged by Fire" Published Jan 1, 1997 Coretta Scott King Award winner for "Tears of a Tiger" Jan 1, 2005 Buckeye Book Award Jan 1, 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award Jan 1, 2012 The 33rd annual Jeremiah Ludington Memorial Award