Joanna Orwin facts for kids

Joanna Orwin (born November 28, 1944) is a talented writer from New Zealand. She writes exciting stories and non-fiction books for both kids and adults. Many of her books have won cool awards! For example, one of her books was named Children's Book of the Year in 1985. Another won a top prize for older kids' fiction in 2002. Joanna lives in Christchurch, New Zealand.

About Joanna Orwin

Early Life and Inspiration

Joanna Orwin was born in Nelson on November 28, 1944. She grew up there and spent family holidays at Lake Rotoiti. These trips helped her fall in love with New Zealand's amazing landscapes.

As a child, Joanna loved reading. Some of her favorite books were myths and legends. She also enjoyed adventure stories like Treasure Island and Swallows and Amazons. Historical fiction by Rosemary Sutcliff and Geoffrey Trease were also favorites. Plus, she loved fantasy books like The Chronicles of Narnia and The Jungle Book.

Her Writing Journey

Joanna won prizes for her poetry and essays when she was at Nelson College for Girls. Later, she studied botany (the study of plants) and physical geography at university. She even worked for the New Zealand Forest Service. There, she was a plant ecologist, which means she studied how plants live in their environment. She also worked as a science editor.

Joanna writes many different types of books. She has written scientific papers and articles for Te Ara, which is an online encyclopedia. She also writes non-fiction history books. But many kids know her best for her novels for children and young adults.

Her novels often explore themes about nature, New Zealand history, and its unique plants and animals. She also includes Māori folklore and heritage in her stories. Her knowledge of geology and the land really helps her writing. For example, her Ihaka novels are set in Delaware Bay near Nelson. Guardian of the Land takes place in Kaikōura. And The Watcher in the Forest is set near Murchison and Lewis Pass.

Joanna has also written short stories. These have appeared in collections like Down to the Sea Again (2005) and Annual (2016).

Family Life

Joanna Orwin married Donald Francis Ginn Orwin in 1968. He was a scientist who studied wool. They had three children together. Sadly, her husband passed away in 1989. Joanna now lives in Christchurch.

Awards and Recognition

Joanna Orwin has received many honors for her writing. In 2009, she was chosen as the University of Otago College of Education / Creative New Zealand Children's Writer in Residence. This is a special role for a children's writer.

Several of her books for children have been recognized with awards.

• The Guardian of the Land won the Children's Book of the Year Award in 1985.
• Owl won the Senior Fiction category of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in 2002.

Her book Riccarton and the Deans Family: History and Heritage was also a finalist for the 2016 New Zealand Heritage Book and Writing Awards.

Her two Ihaka novels were even highlighted by famous author Tessa Duder. She mentioned them in an article about the history of children's literature in New Zealand.