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Joan Aiken

Author

About Joan Aiken

Joan Aiken was born in Sussex in 1924. She was the daughter of the American poet, Conrad Aiken; her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge, is also a novelist. Before joining the 'family business' herself, Joan had a variety of jobs, including working for the BBC, the United Nations Information Centre and then as features editor for a short story magazine. Her first children's novel, The Kingdom of the Cave, was published in 1960.

Joan Aiken wrote over a hundred books for young readers and adults and is recognized as one of the classic authors of the twentieth century. Amanda Craig, writing in The Times, said, 'She was a consummate story-teller, one that each generation discovers anew.' Her best-known books are those in the James III saga, of which The Wolves of Willoughby Chase was the first title, published in 1962 and awarded the Lewis Carroll prize. Both that and Black Hearts in Battersea have been filmed. Her books are internationally acclaimed and she received the Edgar Allan Poe Award in the United States as well as the Guardian Award for Fiction in this country for The Whispering Mountain.

Joan Aiken was decorated with an MBE for her services to children's books. She died in 2004.

Joan Aiken books

Recent updates about Joan Aiken

International Day of the Girl

Eliza's Daughter, with so many different girls in books, why not read this one! By Joan Aiken, published by Penguin Random House Children's UK.

9 days ago

World Maritime Day

Loving Bridle The Wind by Joan Aiken from Penguin Random House Children's UK.

24 days ago

World Maritime Day

A remarkable book that your children will love. Night Birds On Nantucket by Joan Aiken.

24 days ago

World Maritime Day

A remarkable book that your children will love. Night Birds On Nantucket by Joan Aiken.

24 days ago

Happy birthday Joan Aiken

Happy Birthday Joan Aiken! Now's the time to read The Kingdom Under the Sea published by Penguin Random House Children's UK.

1 month ago

Happy birthday Joan Aiken

Happy Birthday Joan Aiken! Now's the time to read More Arabel and Mortimer published by Penguin Random House Children's UK.

1 month ago

Happy birthday Joan Aiken

Happy Birthday Joan Aiken! Now's the time to read The Wolves of Willoughby Chase published by Puffin.

1 month ago

Happy birthday Joan Aiken

Happy Birthday Joan Aiken! Now's the time to read Arabel and Mortimer Stories published by Penguin Random House Children's UK.

1 month ago

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