Justina Ireland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Justina Ireland
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Justina Ireland in 2018 at the National Book Festival
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| Born | February 7, 1985 French Camp, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Armstrong Atlantic State University (BA) Hamline University (MFA) |
| Genre | Science fiction Young Adult |
Justina Ireland (born February 7, 1985) is an American writer who creates exciting science fiction and fantasy books, especially for young adults (like you!). She used to be the main editor for FIYAH Literary Magazine. In 2018, she won a special World Fantasy Award. Her popular book, Dread Nation, became a New York Times bestseller and won the Locus Award in 2019. It was also nominated for several other big awards!
Contents
About Justina Ireland
Justina Ireland always wanted to be a historian when she was a teenager. When she was nineteen, she joined the military. There, she became an expert in the Arabic language.
Today, Justina lives in York, Pennsylvania. She works for the U.S. Navy, helping with logistics and weapon systems. She also teaches creative writing at York College of Pennsylvania.
Justina's Education
Justina studied history at Armstrong Atlantic State University, earning a bachelor's degree. She then got a master's degree from Hamline University. This degree was in writing for children and young adults. She is currently working on her PhD in English Literature.
Justina's Writing Style
Justina Ireland is known for writing stories with strong female characters. Her books often explore important topics. These include race, power, and fairness. She also writes about how people are treated differently based on their skin color or gender.
Dread Nation Book Summary
Her most famous novel is Dread Nation. It's an exciting alternate history story set in the 1800s in the U.S. In this version of history, the Civil War ends differently. Zombies suddenly appear from their graves at Gettysburg.
After this, enslaved people are freed. But Black and Indigenous children are then trained to fight the undead. They learn to protect the nation from these monsters.
The main character is Jane McKeene. She is a biracial teenager. Jane is sent to a special combat school. There, she trains hard. She hopes to be assigned to protect a wealthy white family.
What Critics Said About Dread Nation
Dread Nation received many positive reviews. People praised Justina for how she handled tough topics. These included slavery and its lasting effects.
Kirkus Reviews called it "an exciting must-read." They loved the main character, Jane. School Library Journal said Justina "skillfully works in the different forms of enslavement." They called the novel "A perfect blend of horrors real and imagined." Alex Brown from Tor.com also noted the book's importance. They said it shows why we need more diverse authors in young adult fiction.
Justina's Advocacy Work
Justina Ireland is a strong supporter of making young adult literature more diverse. This means having more books by authors of color. It also means having more stories with characters of color.
In 2018, a writer for New York magazine called her "YA Twitter’s Leading Warrior." Justina also started an organization called Writing in the Margins. This group helps writers from backgrounds that have been historically overlooked.
Justina's Personal Life
Justina Ireland is married and has a child. Her family lives together in York, Pennsylvania.
Awards and Nominations
- 2018: FIYAH (with Troy L. Wiggins) won the World Fantasy Award for Non-Professional Work.
- 2018: Dread Nation was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Young Adult.
- 2018: Dread Nation was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards in Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction.
- 2019: Dread Nation was nominated for the Lodestar Award.
- 2019: Dread Nation won the Locus Award for Young Adult.
- 2019: Dread Nation was nominated for the Andre Norton Award.
- 2020: Deathless Divide was nominated for the Ladies of Horror Fiction Award for Young Adult.
- 2021: Deathless Divide was nominated for the Locus Award for Young Adult.
