Jennifer Rowe facts for kids

Jennifer June Rowe, also known as Emily Rodda, was born on 2 April 1948. She is a famous Australian author. She writes exciting books for kids using the name Emily Rodda. She also writes mystery books for adults under her real name.

Jennifer Rowe is best known for her amazing fantasy series for children. These include Deltora Quest, Rowan of Rin, Fairy Realm, and Teen Power Inc.. She also wrote the Rondo trilogy and The Three Doors trilogy. Her newest book is His Name Was Walter.

About Jennifer Rowe

Jennifer Rowe was born in Sydney, Australia, on 2 April 1948. She grew up in Sydney with her two younger brothers. Her father, Jim Oswin, helped start a TV station called ATN7. He was involved in creating popular TV shows in the 1960s.

Jennifer went to Abbotsleigh School for Girls. Later, she studied at the University of Sydney. She earned a special degree in English Literature in 1973.

Her first job was helping to edit books at a publishing company. She then worked at Angus and Robertson Publishers for 14 years. She held many important roles there, like editor and publisher.

Becoming Emily Rodda

While working in publishing, Jennifer started writing children's books. She used the pen name Emily Rodda. This name came from her grandmother. Her very first book, Something Special, came out in 1984. It won a big award for young readers in Australia. She has won this award a record six times!

From 1984 to 1992, Jennifer also worked as an editor for a magazine called Australian Women's Weekly. She wrote her books in her free time. In 1994, she decided to become a full-time writer.

Today, Jennifer Rowe lives in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. She lives there with her husband, Bob Ryan, and her four children. She loves reading mystery novels. These stories often inspire her to add puzzles and hidden clues to her own books.

Her Books as Emily Rodda

Emily Rodda's children's books are very popular. Some of her most famous series are Deltora Quest, Teen Power Inc., Fairy Realm, Star of Deltora, and Rowan of Rin.

The Deltora Quest series has been published all over the world. It is available in many countries, including Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. More than 18 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. An animated TV show based on Deltora Quest was even shown in Japan in 2007.

Another successful book is the science fiction novel Finders Keepers from 1990. This book was turned into a TV series called The Finder. The Teen Power Inc. series, also known as The Raven Hill Mysteries, is about six teenagers who solve mysteries. Both of these series are written for young adults.

The Star of Deltora series is set in the same world as Deltora Quest and Rowan of Rin. It follows a girl named Britta who dreams of becoming a trader. She wants to sail the nine seas. The books in this series were released between 2015 and 2016.

Emily Rodda has also written other children's fantasy novels. These include The Shop at Hooper's Bend (2017) and His Name Was Walter (2018).

Awards and Achievements

Jennifer Rowe has won many awards for her amazing books. Here are some of them:

• 1985 – Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA): Junior Book of the Year for Something Special
• 1987 – CBCA: Junior Book of the Year for Pigs Might Fly
• 1989 – CBCA: Book of the Year for Younger Readers for The Best-Kept Secret
• 1991 – CBCA: Book of the Year for Younger Readers for Finders Keepers
• 1994 – CBCA: Book of the Year for Younger Readers for Rowan of Rin
• 1995 – The Dromkeen Medal (a special award for children's literature)
• 1997 – CBCA: Honour Book for Younger Readers for Rowan and the Keeper of the Crystal
• 1999 – Dymock's Children's Choice Awards: Favourite Australian Younger Reader Book for the Rowan of Rin Series
• 2000 – COOL Awards Fiction for Younger Readers Award for Bob The Builder and the Elves
• 2002 – KOALA award (NSW children's choice) for Deltora Quest series
• 2002 – Aurealis Awards: Peter McNamara Convenors' Award for the Deltora Quest series
• 2002 – WA Young Reader's Book Awards: Most Popular Book for Deltora Quest – The Forests of Silence
• 2003 – YABBA award (VIC children's choice) for Deltora Quest 2
• 2003 – COOL Awards Fiction for Younger Readers Award for the Deltora Quest 2 series
• 2004 – COOL Awards Fiction for Younger Readers Award for the Deltora Quest 3 series
• 2008 – Aurealis Awards Best Children's Novel for The Wizard of Rondo
• 2012 – Children's Book of the Year Award: Younger Readers, honour, for The Golden Door
• 2013 – KOALA Award Fiction for young readers, winner, for The Golden Door
• 2014 – KOALA Award Fiction for young readers, honour, for The Third Door
• 2018 – The Goodest Prize for The Shop at Hoopers Bend
• 2019 – Companion of the Order of Australia for her great work in literature
• 2019 – CBCA: Book of the Year for Younger Readers for His Name Was Walter
• 2019 – Prime Minister's Literary Award for Children's literature for His Name Was Walter