Sonya Hartnett facts for kids

Sonya Louise Hartnett (born March 23, 1968) is a famous Australian writer. She writes books for adults, young adults, and children. Many people call her one of the best Australian writers of her time.

In 2008, Sonya Hartnett won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. This award is given by the Swedish Arts Council for a writer's entire career in children's and young adult literature. It is one of the biggest cash prizes in children's books.

She has published books using different names, including Sonya Hartnett, S. L. Hartnett, and Cameron S. Redfern.

About Sonya Hartnett

Early Life and Education

Sonya Hartnett was born on March 23, 1968, in Melbourne, Australia. Her parents are Philip Joseph and Virginia Mary Hartnett. She studied at RMIT University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988.

Her Writing Journey

Sonya Hartnett started writing very young. She was only thirteen years old when she wrote her first novel. This book, called Trouble All the Way, was published in Australia when she was fifteen.

For many years, she has written about one new novel every year. Even though many of her books are called "young adult fiction," Sonya Hartnett doesn't always agree with that label. She feels her books are not always typical young adult novels.

Awards and Recognition

Sonya Hartnett has won many important awards for her writing. Her books are popular in the UK and North America.

Major Awards

• Guardian Children's Fiction Prize: In 2002, she won this award for her book Thursday's Child. This prize is judged by British children's writers.
• Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award: In 2008, she received this very special award. It honors authors whose work focuses on the tougher parts of life in an honest way.

Other Honors

The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper named Sonya Hartnett one of their Young Novelists of the Year in both 2000 and 2003. In 2016, Shelf Awareness magazine listed her book Golden Boys as one of the best teen novels of the year.

List of Awards for Her Books