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Janet Lee Carey
Born (1954-01-11) January 11, 1954 (age 71)
New York City, U.S.
Occupation Writer, educator
Genre Children's literature, fantasy
Notable works Dragon’s Keep, Dragonswood, In the Time of the Dragon Moon, Wenny Has Wings, The Beast of Noor, The Dragons of Noor

Janet Lee Carey is an American author who writes exciting fantasy stories. She creates books for children and young adults. Her books often feature dragons, magic, and brave characters.

Some of her most famous books are the Wilde Island trilogy. This series includes Dragon’s Keep, Dragonswood, and In the Time of Dragon Moon. These books have won many awards and good reviews. She also wrote the Noor duology, which has The Beast of Noor and The Dragons of Noor.

Janet Lee Carey has written other popular books too. Wenny Has Wings won the Mark Twain Award. It was even made into a movie in Japan in 2008.

About Janet Lee Carey

Janet Lee Carey grew up in Mill Valley, California. She was surrounded by tall redwood trees. The sunlight shining through the misty branches made it a magical place. This is where she first dreamed of writing books.

She remembers feeling excited about her dream. But she also wondered how to make it happen. She moved around a lot during her college years. She studied at different universities before finishing her degree. In 1981, she graduated from Seattle Pacific University.

After college, she and her husband stayed in the Pacific Northwest. They raised their family near beautiful lakes and forests. This area is perfect for hiking and exploring.

Janet Lee Carey's Career

Janet Lee Carey is a successful author of children's books. She is also a teacher. Her writing journey began with dreams and hard work. She was committed to bringing her stories to life.

She has taught at several colleges. These include Lake Washington Institute of Technology and Bellevue College. She also leads workshops for children and adults. These workshops help people learn about writing.

Carey is part of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. This group helps authors who write for kids. She also helped start readergirlz. This is an online blog that encourages teenage girls to read.

She values her writing group, The Diviners. She also enjoys her arts group, Artemis. In these groups, writers, photographers, and artists meet. They talk about their creative work and support each other. Janet Lee Carey also shares her ideas on her blog, Dreamwalks.

Janet Lee Carey cares a lot about libraries. She created a blog called Library Lions Roar. On this blog, she interviews librarians. She wants to show how important libraries are for kids and teens. She also gives librarians a place to share their amazing programs.

Besides writing, Carey loves teaching. She gives masterclasses on "world-building." This is about creating imaginary worlds for stories. She travels across the United States and other countries. She visits schools and book festivals to share her love of reading and writing.

What Inspires Janet Lee Carey

Janet Lee Carey gets ideas from many authors. Some of her favorites include Ursula K. Le Guin and Juliet Marillier. When she was a child, fantasy stories took her to magical places. She loved visiting Narnia and Middle-earth.

She wanted to create similar journeys for other young readers. She was also inspired by Grimms' Fairy Tales. Myths and legends also gave her many ideas. Carey says she writes novels to explore big questions. These are questions that stay with her.

For example, her book Stealing Death asks why we have to die. She started writing it when her mother was sick. She finished it shortly before her stepfather passed away. She loved them very much and found writing helped her cope.

Janet Lee Carey's Books

Janet Lee Carey has written many wonderful books. Here are some of her notable works:

Molly's Fire

(Published in 2000)

This book is about a young girl named Molly. Her father died in World War II. Molly doesn't want to believe it. But then she gets her father's watch. She risks everything to find out the truth. The story shows what life was like during wartime.

Wenny Has Wings

(Published in 2002)

Will North loses his sister, Wenny, in a sad accident. Will writes letters to his sister in heaven. He believes her spirit is in a good place. He had a vision during a near-death experience. But he wonders if he is brave enough to tell his parents what he saw. This book is about dealing with sadness and loss.

The Double Life of Zoe Flynn

(Published in 2004)

Zoe's family faces hard times. Her father loses his job, and they have to move. They even live in their family van for a while. To escape her sad reality, Zoe creates a "double life." This is a story about courage and facing challenges.

The Beast of Noor

(Published in 2006)

This is the first book in the Noor Chronicles series. Miles tries to break a curse. He uses a spell, but it leads him on a dangerous journey. He needs all his courage. Hanna and her cleverness might be the only ones who can save him. It's a story filled with magic, suspense, and adventure.

Dragon's Keep

(Published in 2007)

This is the first book in the Wilde Island Chronicles. It takes place in 1145 A.D. Rosalind is a fourteen-year-old princess. She is destined to be the next queen. But she has a secret: she was born with a dragon's claw. This book is about her journey to fulfill her destiny.

Stealing Death

(Published in 2009)

This fantasy novel is about a young boy named Kipp. He has lost everything important to him. His family died in a fire. He is left to care for his younger sister. Kipp is determined to protect his loved ones from Death. This book is described as original, beautiful, and deeply moving.

The Dragons of Noor

(Published in 2010)

This is the second book in the Noor Chronicles. Trouble is brewing in the world of Noor. Dragons are about to return after a long time away. Children are disappearing, swept into the sky by a strange wind. Miles and Hanna go to find their younger brother. They end up fighting alongside dragons in a big revolution.

Dragonswood

(Published in 2012)

This is the second book in the Wilde Island Chronicles. The trust between fairies, dragons, and humans is breaking. The king has died, and the island needs a hero. Young Tess, a blacksmith's daughter, finds herself in the middle of the conflict. It's a dark fantasy with moments of hope.

In The Time of Dragon Moon

(Published in 2015)

This is the third book in the Wilde Island Chronicles. Someone secretly kills the royal heir. It looks like an accident. But the queen's healer, Uma, and her friend, Jackrun, sense a darker truth. They must use their powers to stop a secret plan to take over the throne. This story combines history, myths, and fantasy.

The Twelve Days of Christmas: Starring the Chickens

(Published in 2016)

This is a fun, updated version of the classic Christmas carol. It features a flock of chickens and a penguin in a pine tree. The book adds new twists to the well-known song. Molly Blaisdell illustrated this book.

Movie Adaptations

Janet Lee Carey's book, Wenny Has Wings, was made into a movie. It was called "Ano Sora wo Oboeteru" in Japan. This means "Remember that Sky." Sony Pictures released the film in 2008.

Awards and Recognitions

Janet Lee Carey's books have won many awards and honors:

Molly's Fire (2000)

  • Nominated for Georgia State Best Children’s Book, 2002

Wenny Has Wings (2002)

  • Mark Twain Award, 2005
  • Washington State Book Award Finalist, 2003
  • Borders Books Original Voices, 2003

The Double Life of Zoe Flynn (2004)

  • One Book Sacramento Children's Book Choice, 2009

The Beast of Noor (2006)

  • NYPL Best Book for Teens, 2007

Dragon's Keep (2007)

Stealing Death (2009)

The Dragons of Noor (2010)

  • Teens Read Too Gold Star Award for Excellence

Dragonswood (2012)

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