Jonathan Stroud facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Stroud
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At MCM London Comic Con, May 2025
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| Born | 27 October 1970 Bedford, England |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Nationality | British |
| Period | 1999–present |
| Genre | Children's fantasy |
Jonathan Anthony Stroud (born October 27, 1970) is a British author who writes popular fantasy fiction books for young readers. He is most famous for his Bartimaeus series and the Lockwood & Co. series.
His books are known for being funny and clever. They often use magic to explore interesting ideas, like the conflicts between different social groups. The Bartimaeus books have won major awards, and many of his works have been named as top books for children and teens. In 2020, Netflix announced it was making a TV show based on Lockwood & Co., and filming began the next year.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Jonathan Stroud was born in Bedford, England, in 1970. He started writing stories when he was very young. He grew up in a town called St Albans, where he loved to read, draw, and make up his own tales.
Between the ages of seven and nine, he was often sick and had to stay home. To keep from being bored, he spent his time reading books and writing stories, which sparked his love for literature.
After studying English literature at the University of York, he moved to London. There, he worked as an editor for a children's book publisher called Walker Books. An editor helps authors improve their stories before they are published. In the 1990s, Stroud began to publish his own books and quickly became a successful author.
Famous Book Series
The Bartimaeus Sequence
One of Stroud's most famous series is the Bartimaeus Trilogy. These books are known for being witty and exciting. The story is told from the point of view of Bartimaeus, a powerful and sarcastic djinni (a type of magical spirit).
Through Bartimaeus's eyes, the books explore the world of magicians and the demons they summon to do their bidding. The series looks at the power struggles between the ruling magicians and the magical beings they have enslaved. The main books in the series are:
There is also a prequel book called The Ring of Solomon, which tells a story that happened before the main trilogy.
Lockwood & Co.
In 2013, Stroud released the first book in a new series called Lockwood & Co. The series is set in an alternate version of England that is plagued by ghosts. It follows a small ghost-hunting agency run by teenagers.
The first book, Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase, was a huge hit. Famous author Rick Riordan, who wrote the Percy Jackson series, called Stroud a "genius." The series continued with more thrilling adventures, including:
- The Whispering Skull
- The Hollow Boy
- The Creeping Shadow
- The Empty Grave
In late 2020, Netflix began work on a TV show based on the Lockwood & Co. books. Filming for the series started in London in July 2021.
The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne
Stroud's newest series is The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne. It follows two runaway outlaws as they pull off daring heists in a futuristic, broken version of England. The series currently has three books.
Personal Life
Jonathan Stroud lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his wife, Gina, and their three children.
Awards and Recognition
Jonathan Stroud's books have won many awards and are loved by readers around the world.
The Bartimaeus series won the Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award, which are both major honors for fantasy literature. The first book, The Amulet of Samarkand, was named a Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association. Other books in the series also won awards for their audiobook versions.
The Lockwood & Co. series has also received great acclaim. The Screaming Staircase won the 2013 Cybils Award for fantasy and science fiction and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. The series has been nominated for many other awards, including the Edgar Awards and the Carnegie Medal.
See also
In Spanish: Jonathan Stroud para niños
