Five Good Contemporary Female Children’s Writers
We’re so pleased to show you a very special list of recommendations from our loyal customer, Frances Lamb. Frances is a keen reader who loves many different types of books. In the past she has been involved with encouraging both children and teenagers to enjoy reading, and she continues to be very interested in the world of children’s literature. Frances has compiled a list of five good contemporary female children’s writers for you to enjoy!
Impossible Creatures – Katherine Rundell
The exciting news that Maldon Books has got Katherine Rundell coming to talk (on October 21st 2023) made me think about how lucky we are to have so many good contemporary children’s authors. Here are five:
First, of course, is Katherine Rundell. Recently she has achieved much praise for her adult work, Super-Infinite, a biography of John Donne. She is also, however, a highly respected author of children’s books. Perhaps her most famous is Explorer, an exciting children’s adventure story set in the Amazon jungle which won the Costa Children’s Book Award. I am really looking forward to reading her first fantasy, Impossible Creatures.
The Skylarks War – Hilary McKay
Hilary McKay also won the Costa Children’s Book Award with the wonderful The Skylarks’ War. This shows the effects of the First World War on a family, and I found it (and its sequel The Swallows’ Flight) compelling. I also loved her excellent Casson Family series which starts with Saffy’s Angel). The books have fascinating family dynamics, likable characters, humour and some serious themes.
The Rescue of Ravenwood – Natasha Farrant
Yet another author who won the Costa Children’s Book Award is Natasha Farrant. Her prize-winning Voyage of the Sparrowhawk is a thoroughly enjoyable novel about a girl and boy travelling to France on a narrowboat after World War One. This work’s emphasis on the importance of friendship is further apparent in Farrant’s latest book, The Rescue of Ravenwood, an adventure with strong environmental themes in which a group of children fight to save a lovely home. I thought it was brilliant.
October, October – Katya Balen
Katya Balen also demonstrates a strong interest in the natural world. Her October, October won the Carnegie prize, and has an appealing eleven-year-old female protagonist who is furious when she is forced to leave her beloved woods to live in London. She finds solace in new relationships and the joys of mudlarking. I have been impressed by all Balen’s books, but this is my favourite.
A Kind of Spark – Elle McNicoll
Finally, Elle McNicoll won a lot of praise with her first children’s book, A Kind of Spark. This tells the story of a modern Scottish girl campaigning for a memorial to the victims of the Scottish witch trials. I liked this, but preferred her duology, Like a Charm and Like a Curse. These books combine realism and fantasy, and I found them gripping and satisfying. I also like the fact that all her books contain interesting neurodivergent protagonists who have strong characters.
I hope that these examples indicate that the world of children’s literature is a rich one. And, remember, these are only five writers. There are many, many others out there!
Frances