Jane Yolen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jane Yolen
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Yolen in 2011
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| Born | February 11, 1939 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | June 11, 2026 (aged 87) Hatfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer, poet |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Smith College |
| Period | 1960s–2026 |
| Genre | Fantasy, science fiction, folklore, children's fiction |
| Notable awards | World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement |
Jane Hyatt Yolen was a very famous American writer. She wrote many books for young people and adults. Jane Yolen was born on February 11, 1939, and passed away on June 11, 2026. She wrote or edited an amazing 450 books during her life.
One of her most well-known books is The Devil's Arithmetic. This book tells a powerful historical story. Other popular books include Owl Moon, The Emperor and the Kite, and the fun Commander Toad series. She even worked with her three children on some of her stories. Her 450th and final book, Terror Birds, is scheduled to be published on July 14, 2026.
Contents
Discovering Jane Yolen: A Prolific Author
Her Early Life and Education
Jane Yolen was born in Manhattan, New York, on February 11, 1939. Her mother, Isabell, was a social worker. Her father, Will, was a journalist. He wrote for New York newspapers. Her father's family came from Dnipro, Ukraine, and moved to the United States in 1914.
Jane's parents encouraged her love for stories. Her mother also enjoyed writing short stories. The family moved several times when Jane was young. They lived in California for a short time. Later, they moved back to New York City.
During World War II, her father served in the Army. Jane lived with her mother and brother at her grandparents' home. After the war, they returned to Manhattan. Jane loved writing and singing. She even created a newspaper with her brother. They sold it for five cents!
Jane attended PS 93 and later Music and Art High School. She also went to a summer camp in Vermont. She finished high school at Staples High School. Jane earned a bachelor's degree from Smith College in 1960. She later received a master's degree in Education in 1978.
Her Writing Career
Jane Yolen first thought she would be a poet or journalist. But she found her true calling writing children's books. Her very first book was Pirates in Petticoats. She sold it on her 22nd birthday in 1961.
In the 1960s, Jane worked as an editor. She helped create books for different publishers in New York City. Later, she even had her own special publishing line. It was called Jane Yolen Books. This line focused on books for young adults.
Jane loved to work with her family. She co-wrote two books with her son, Adam Stemple. These books were Pay the Piper and Troll Bridge. They were part of a fun series called Rock 'n' Roll Fairy Tales. She also wrote song lyrics for his band. By the time she passed away, Jane Yolen had published an incredible 450 books!
Family Life
In 1962, Jane Yolen married David W. Stemple. They built a wonderful family together. They had three children: Adam, Heidi, and Jason. Adam became a musician. Heidi followed in her mother's footsteps as a children's book writer. Jason became a photographer.
Jane and David were also proud grandparents to six grandchildren. David Stemple passed away in March 2006. Jane Yolen lived in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She also enjoyed spending time in Scotland. Jane passed away at her home on June 11, 2026, at 87 years old.
Awards and Recognition
Jane Yolen received many important awards for her writing. These awards show how much her stories were loved.
- 1987: Special World Fantasy Award for Favorite Folktales From Around the World
- 1989: Sydney Taylor Book Award for Older Readers for The Devil's Arithmetic
- 1992: Regina Medal for her many wonderful children's books
- 1999: Nebula Award for her short story "Lost Girls"
- 2006: Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book for Pay the Piper
- 2009: World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement for her entire career
- 2017: Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award
- 2018: World Fantasy Award for The Emerald Circus
See also
In Spanish: Jane Yolen para niños
