Frances Hardinge facts for kids

Frances Hardinge (born in 1973) is a British writer. She is famous for her amazing stories for young people. Her first book, Fly By Night, won a special award in 2006. It was also named one of the best books by School Library Journal. Frances Hardinge has won many other awards for her novels and short stories too.

About Frances Hardinge

Her Early Life and Education

Frances Hardinge was born in 1973 in Brighton, England. She started dreaming of writing stories when she was only four years old! Later, she studied English at Somerville College at Oxford University. While there, she even helped start a writing group for students.

How She Started Writing

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

Her 2015 novel, The Lie Tree, won the important Costa Book Award for Book of the Year. This was a huge achievement! The Lie Tree was only the second children's book ever to win this top award. The first was The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman in 2001.

Her Style and Personal Life

Frances Hardinge is known for her unique style. She often wears a black hat and enjoys dressing in old-fashioned clothes. This fits perfectly with the magical and historical worlds she creates in her books.

Amazing Awards and Books

Frances Hardinge has won many awards for her fantastic books. Here are some of the main ones:

• 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 Children's Book.
• In 2016, The Lie Tree also won the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Fiction.

Her Novels

Frances Hardinge has written many popular novels. Here are some of them:

• 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 called 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)
• Island of Whispers (2023); with illustrations by Emily Gravett
• The Forest of a Thousand Eyes (2024); also illustrated by Emily Gravett

Her Short Stories

Besides novels, Frances Hardinge has written many short stories. These have appeared in different magazines and story collections. Some of her short stories include:

• "Shining Man" (2001)
• "Communion" (2002)
• "Captive Audience" (2002)
• "Bengal Rose" (2003)
• "Black Grass" (2007)
• "Halfway House" (2006)
• "Behind The Mirror" (2007)
• "Payment Due" (2012)
• "Flawless" (2013)
• "Hayfever" (2013)
• "Blind Eye" (2019)
• "God's Eye" (2016)