Frances Hardinge facts for kids

Frances Hardinge, born in 1973, is a talented British writer. She is famous for her amazing books for children and young adults. Her very first novel, Fly By Night, won the Branford Boase Award in 2006. This book was also named one of the best books by the School Library Journal. Frances Hardinge has won many other awards for her novels and short stories.

Early Life and School

Frances Hardinge was born in Brighton, England, in 1973. From a very young age, when she was just four years old, she dreamed of becoming a writer. She went to Somerville College at the University of Oxford. There, she studied English and helped start a special writing group for students.

Her Writing Career

Frances Hardinge began her writing journey after winning a short story contest. Soon after her win, she wrote her first novel, Fly by Night. She wrote it in her free time. A friend encouraged her to show the book to Macmillan Publishers. The book was published in 2005. It quickly became a success, winning the Branford Boase Award. It was also listed as one of the best books by the School Library Journal.

In 2015, her novel The Lie Tree won the Costa Book Award for Book of the Year. This was a big achievement because it was only the second children's book ever to win this top award. The first was The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman in 2001. In 2018, Frances Hardinge was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. This is a special honor for writers.

About Her Life

Frances Hardinge often wears a black hat. She also enjoys dressing in old-fashioned clothes.

Awards and Special Honors

Frances Hardinge has received many awards for her wonderful books. Here are some of her notable wins:

• In 2006, Fly by Night won the Branford Boase Award.
• In 2015, Cuckoo Song won the Robert Holdstock Award.
• Also in 2015, The Lie Tree won two Costa Book Awards: Book of the Year and the Children's Book award.
• In 2016, The Lie Tree also won the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Fiction.

She has also been nominated for other important awards, like the Carnegie Medal for Cuckoo Song and The Lie Tree.

Her Books

Novels

Frances Hardinge has written many popular novels:

• Fly by Night (2005)
• Verdigris Deep (2007) – also known as Well Witched in the US
• Gullstruck Island (2009) – also known as The Lost Conspiracy in the US
• Twilight Robbery (2011) – a sequel to Fly by Night, also known as Fly Trap in the US
• A Face Like Glass (2012)
• Cuckoo Song (2014)
• The Lie Tree (2015)
• A Skinful of Shadows (September 2017)
• Deeplight (October 2019)
• Unraveller (September 2022)

Short Stories

Frances Hardinge has also written many short stories. These have appeared in magazines and collections of stories. She has also had two short stories published as standalone books:

• "Shining Man" (2001)
• "Communion" (2002)
• "Captive Audience" (2002)
• "Bengal Rose" (2003)
• "Black Grass" (2007)
• "Halfway House" (2006)
• "Behind The Mirror" (2007) – a story published in parts
• "Payment Due" (2012)
• "Flawless" (2013)
• "Hayfever" (2013)
• "Blind Eye" (2019)
• "God's Eye" (2016)
• Island of Whispers (2023) – with pictures by Emily Gravett
• The Forest of a Thousand Eyes (2024) – with pictures by Emily Gravett