Janet Lee Carey facts for kids

Janet Lee Carey (born January 11, 1954) is an American writer and teacher. She writes exciting fantasy stories for children and young adults. Her books have won many awards, like the Teens Read Too Gold Star Award for The Dragons of Noor, the ALA Best Books for Young Adults for Dragon's Keep, and the Mark Twain Award for Wenny Has Wings.

About Janet Lee Carey

Janet Lee Carey was born in New York City. She grew up in Mill Valley, California. Now, she lives in Seattle, Washington. Janet is a very imaginative person. She often daydreams, which helps her create amazing fantasy worlds for her books. She enjoys staying home, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Many of Janet's books feature ordinary kids who do brave things. She believes that all young people need courage. This helps them grow into successful adults. Janet says courage means having a purpose. It means believing that what you do matters. It also means being willing to try again, even if you fail. Her novels show kids overcoming challenges. These experiences help them grow stronger.

Janet Carey's Writing Career

Janet Lee Carey is a successful author of children's books. She is also a teacher. She wanted to be a writer from a very young age. She loved reading her favorite books while sitting high in a tree. It took a lot of hard work to get her stories published. She faced many rejections but kept sending her stories out. She believes the good parts of writing are much bigger than the struggles.

Janet has taught at colleges like Lake Washington Technical College. She also leads workshops for children and adults. She is part of writing groups like The Diviners. This group helps her improve her stories. She is also in Artemis, a group for different kinds of artists. They share their goals and challenges. Janet is also involved with readergirlz and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Readergirlz is an online blog that encourages teen girls to read. SCBWI is a group for people who create children's and young adult books.

Janet also supports charities and cares about the environment. She connects each of her novels to a charity. She hopes this will inspire her readers to make a difference in the world. She also hosts writing retreats for future authors. She travels across the United States and other countries. She visits schools and attends book festivals.

What Inspired Janet Carey's Books

Many things inspired Janet Carey's writing career. These include other authors, books, her imagination, and personal experiences. Writers like Ursula K. Le Guin and Shannon Hale always inspired her. She loved fantasy stories as a child. She says this is why she wanted to become a writer. She was also inspired by Grimms' Fairy Tales. Stories about myths and fantasies also sparked her ideas.

Janet always had a wild imagination. As a child, she believed trees whispered stories to her. Her imagination helps her create vivid fantasy novels. She also writes to understand things that bother her. For example, she started writing Stealing Death when her mother was dying. In that book, she explores the question, "Why do we have to die?"

Janet Carey's Notable Books

Dragon's Keep

Rosalind is born with a dragon claw. Anyone who sees it does not live long. Rosalind believes she will never find love. She is captured by the Dragon Lord, and her adventures begin.

Dragonswood

Wilde Island faces a difficult time. The trust between fairies, dragons, and humans is tested after the king's death. The island needs a hero. Young Tess, a blacksmith's daughter, gets caught in the middle of it all.

In The Time of Dragon Moon

A hidden killer slays the royal heir. The murder looks like an accident. But the queen's healer, Uma, and her friend, Jackrun, sense the truth. They must use their powers to stop a secret plot. This story mixes medieval history, myths, and fantasy.

Stealing Death

This fantasy novel is about a young boy named Kipp. He has lost everything important to him. He must take care of his younger sister after their family dies in a fire. He wants to keep his loved ones safe from Death.

Wenny Has Wings

Will North loses his sister Wenny in a terrible 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 is a powerful story about dealing with sadness and loss.

Molly's Fire

This novel is about a young girl named Molly. She does not want to believe her father died in World War II. Then she is given his watch. Molly risks everything to find out the truth she is trying to avoid.

The Double Life of Zoe Flynn

Zoe's family faces hard times. Her father loses his job, and their house is sold. They have to move and live in their family van. To escape this sad reality, Zoe creates a "double life." It is a story about courage and overcoming difficulties.

The Beast of Noor

Miles wants to break a curse. He takes a spell from his teacher. This starts a journey that needs all his courage. Only Hanna and her cleverness can save him. This book is full of magic, suspense, and adventure.

The Dragons of Noor

Trouble is brewing in the world of Noor. Dragons are about to return after being away for centuries. A strange wind has been taking children into the sky. Miles and Hanna's younger brother is one of them. They go after him and end up fighting alongside the dragons. This changes their lives forever.