Sally Gardner facts for kids
Sally Gardner is a British writer and illustrator who creates amazing books for children. She is famous for winning important awards like the Costa Book Award for Children's Book and the Carnegie Medal for her book Maggot Moon, published in 2012.
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About Sally Gardner's Life
Sally Gardner grew up in Birmingham, England. Her parents were lawyers. When she was young, Sally found school difficult because she had dyslexia, which wasn't diagnosed until she was 12 years old. She didn't learn to read properly until she was 14. The first full book she read was Wuthering Heights.
Even though reading was hard, Sally was very creative. She did well in art and drama college. Before becoming a writer and illustrator, she worked as a set designer for plays. Today, she lives in London. In 2019, Sally became an Ambassador for Listening Books, a charity that provides audiobooks.
Sally Gardner's Books for Young Readers
Sally Gardner's first book, The Little Nut Tree, was published in 1993. It was a picture book that she also illustrated.
Award-Winning Novels
Her first full-length novel, I, Coriander, was a big success. It won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize in 2005 for readers aged 9–11. This story is set in London during the time of Oliver Cromwell. It follows the adventures of Coriander, a silk merchant's daughter.
The Red Necklace and its sequel The Silver Blade are exciting stories set during the French Revolution in France and London. They feature a 12-year-old aristocratic girl and a 14-year-old gypsy boy named Yann. Yann has special powers and helps a stage magician. These books are often described as fantasy because of the magic involved.
The Double Shadow is another historical fantasy book that begins in Britain in 1937. Tinder (2013) is a historical novel set during the Thirty Years' War.
Maggot Moon: A Powerful Story
Maggot Moon, published in 2012, won the prestigious Carnegie Medal. This award recognizes the best new book for children or young adults published in the UK. Maggot Moon is an alternate history story set in 1950s England. In this world, England is controlled by a powerful government called the "Motherland."
Librarians who chose Maggot Moon for the Carnegie Medal shortlist described it as "A stunning book with an underdog hero." They praised its "powerful depiction of an utterly convincing and frightening dystopia." They also noted its "clever plotting, conspiracy theory and a truly original concept." Sally Gardner was inspired to write Maggot Moon by ideas about Moon landing conspiracies and "what if" historical events.
List of Children's Books
As Writer and Illustrator
As Writer Only
Wings & Co: The Fairy Detective Agency SeriesIllustrated by David Roberts and published by Orion:
As Illustrator Only
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Awards and Recognitions
Sally Gardner has received many awards for her wonderful books:
- 2003 The Countess's Calamity, won the Nestlé Children's Book Prize bronze runner-up and Kids' Club Award (ages 6–8 years)
- 2005 I, Coriander, winner of the Nestlé Children's Book Prize (ages 9–11 years)
- 2006 I, Coriander, shortlisted for the National Book Awards, Children's Book of the Year
- 2007 I, Coriander, shortlisted for the Stockton Children's Book of the Year
- 2012 Maggot Moon, won the Costa Book Awards, Children's Book category
- 2013 Maggot Moon, won the prestigious Carnegie Medal
