Rachel Anderson facts for kids

Rachel Anderson, born in 1943, is a well-known English journalist and author. She is most famous for her children's books. Her stories often show characters with learning disabilities in a positive way. They also explore ideas like fairness and feeling like you don't belong. Rachel was married for 45 years to David Bradby, who was a writer and translator. Her mother, Verily Anderson, was also a writer.

In 1991, Rachel Anderson won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize for her novel Paper Faces. This special award is given only once to a writer. It is judged by a group of British children's authors.

About Rachel Anderson

Rachel Anderson was born in 1943 in Hampton Court, Surrey, England. She is the second of five children. Her parents were Verily Anderson and Captain Donald Anderson. Her sister, Janie Hampton, is also an author and health activist.

Early Life and Career

Rachel left school when she was 16 years old. She started her career as a journalist. She worked for BBC Radio, different newspapers, and magazines for women. For ten years, she was the children's book reviews editor for Good Housekeeping magazine.

Her first book, an adult novel called Pineapple, was published in 1965. This was the same week she married David Bradby. She has written other books for adults too. However, she now mostly writes for young readers.

Family Life and Recent Works

Rachel Anderson has four children and many grandchildren. She mainly lives in Cromer, Norfolk. In 2011, her novel for teenagers, Asylum, was published. This happened in the same week as her mother's last book, which was finished after her mother passed away the year before.

Books by Rachel Anderson

Rachel Anderson has written many books for different ages. She is especially known for her stories for children and young adults.

Children's and Young Adult Books

• Moffatt's Road (1978)
• Tim Walks (1985)
• Jessy Runs Away (1988)
• French Lessons (1988)
• Tough as Old Boots (1988)
• The Bus People (1989)
• Julie and the Queen of Tonga (1990)
• Best Friends (1991)
• Treasures for Cousin Crystal (1992)
• The Working Class (1993)
• Jessy and the Long-short Dress (1993)
• Black Water (1994)
• The Doll's House (1995)
• Princess Jazz and the Angels (1995)
• Letters from Heaven (1996)
• Blackthorn, Whitethorn (1997)
• Carly's Luck (1998)
• Ollie and the Trainers (1999)
• The Scavenger's Tale (2000)
• The War Orphan (1984, 2000)
• The Flight of the Emu (2001)
• Joe's Story (2001)
• Paper Faces (2002)
• The Rattletrap Trip (2003)
• Hello Peanut! (2003)
• Hugo and the Long Red Arm (2004)
• Pizza on Saturday (2004)
• The Poacher's Son (2006)
• Warlands (2006)
• This Strange New Life (2006)
• Red Moon (2006)
• Big Ben (2007)
• Asylum (2011)

The Little Angel Trilogy

• Little Angel Comes to Stay (1984)
• Little Angel, Bonjour (1988)
• Happy Christmas Little Angel (1991)

Moving Times Trilogy

• Bloom of Youth (1999)
• Grandmother's Footsteps (1999)
• Stronger than Mountains (2000)

Adult Books

Rachel Anderson has also written books for adult readers. Some of these include:

• Pineapple (1965)
• Dream Lovers (1978)
• For the Love of Sang (1990)

Translated Books

Rachel Anderson has also helped translate books into English:

• The Cat's Tale (1985)
• Renard the Fox (1986) with D. Bradby
• Wild Goose Chase (1986)
• Little Lost Fox (1992)

Awards and Recognition

Rachel Anderson has received several awards for her writing:

• 1949: Tiny Tots Order of Merit (TTOM)
• 1992: Guardian Children's Fiction Prize for Paper Faces (she was one of two winners that year)
• 1990: Medical Journalists' Award