Lauren Liebenberg facts for kids

Lauren Liebenberg was born on August 3, 1972. She is a writer from South Africa who was born in Zimbabwe. Her first book, The Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam, was nominated for a big award called the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2008. Her other books, The West Rand Jive Cats Boxing Club and Cry Baby, have also been praised by critics around the world.

About Lauren Liebenberg

Lauren Liebenberg was born in a country once known as Rhodesia. This country is now called Zimbabwe. When she was a child, her family moved to nearby South Africa. She went to a girls' school in Johannesburg. Later, she studied at universities in South Africa and also lived in England for some years. She even earned a master's degree in business. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in finance.

Her Books

Lauren Liebenberg's first book, The Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam, came out in 2008. It tells a story about her own childhood in Rhodesia during a time of conflict. Many critics loved the book. For example, The Guardian newspaper said it was "astonishingly vivid." They felt the book made Rhodesia come alive. The Financial Times called it a "touching first novel."

This book was very popular. It was considered for the Orange Prize for Fiction. Lauren Liebenberg was also one of only three women chosen for the Orange debut prize in 2008. In 2010, the book was also nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award.

Her next book was The West Rand Jive Cats Boxing Club. It was published in 2011. This story is about growing up in the gold-mining areas of Johannesburg. Critics also praised this book. The Guardian said it felt "true and raw." The Times called it a "moving story."

Her third book, Cry Baby, came out in 2014. It is a funny story about modern suburban life and has a strong focus on women's experiences. Lauren Liebenberg is married and has two children. She lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Protecting Nature

In recent years, Lauren Liebenberg has become very involved in protecting the environment and African wildlife. She helps manage the Philip Herd Nature Reserve in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

She also started a group called LivingLimpopo. This group works to stop coal mining and other industrial projects in the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. A biosphere reserve is a special area recognized by UNESCO for its unique plants and animals, where people also live. LivingLimpopo wants to protect the many different kinds of plants and animals there. They also want to expand areas like the Mapungubwe and Great Limpopo. These are large protected areas that cross country borders.

Lauren Liebenberg also advises a scientific group in South Africa. She helped write a report about how a big industrial project could harm the environment and important historical sites in the Limpopo Province. Her recent writing often focuses on environmental topics.