Sterling North was born on a farm overlooking Lake Koshkonong In Edgerton, Wisconsin, on November 4, 1906, to David and Elizabeth Nelson North. His mother was a gifted linguist and biologist, and his father was an amateur naturalist and a specialist on Native American culture. In 1913 North's mother died; but his memory of her and his sense of loss at her death emerge as constant influences in his writing. On June 23, 1927, North married Gladys Dolores Buchanan while a student at the University of Chicago, where he developed his literary skill as editor of the campus literary magazine.

In 1929 he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree.

Between 1929 and 1956, North was a reporter and literary editor for newspapers and periodicals. He joined Houghton Mifflin to edit the North Star Books, a series of history books for children and young adults. After completing this project, he devoted himself...