Ann Downer facts for kids
Ann Downer (1960–2015) was an American writer. She was best known for her exciting fantasy novels. These books were written for children and young adults. She also wrote short stories and poems.
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About Ann Downer
Ann Downer was born in Arlington, Virginia, in 1960. She spent parts of her childhood in Manila and Bangkok. She loved reading fantasy books from a young age.
She wrote two main series of fantasy novels. Her first series was called the Spellkey trilogy. Her second popular series began with the book Hatching Magic.
Her Books
Ann Downer wrote two main fantasy series. Each series has a different kind of magic and adventure.
The Spellkey Series
This was Ann Downer's first big series. It includes:
- The Spellkey (1987)
- The Glass Salamander (1989)
- The Books of the Keepers (1993)
These three books were later put together into one big book called The Spellkey Trilogy in 1995. This series is a type of story called "high fantasy." This means it takes place in a completely made-up world. It tells a classic good-versus-evil story. The main characters are two young people, a stableboy and a seer, who discover their special roles.
The Hatching Magic Series
This series is for middle-grade readers. It includes:
- Hatching Magic (2003)
- The Dragon of Never-Was (2006)
Hatching Magic was very popular and was translated into many languages. This series is a "contemporary fantasy." This means it mixes magic and wizardry with the real world. The story follows a young girl named Theodora Oglethorpe. She discovers a hidden world of magic and even travels through time!
Other Stories
Ann Downer also wrote other short stories and poems. Some of these appeared in magazines. One of her short stories, "Somnus’s Fair Maid," was a retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. It was published in a collection called Black Thorn, White Rose.
Her Influences
Ann Downer was inspired by other famous fantasy writers. She often mentioned Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea books. She also loved The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. These authors helped shape her own writing style and ideas.
Later Life
Ann Downer passed away on November 19, 2015, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was 55 years old.
