Jennifer Donnelly author page

Jennifer Donnelly biography

Jennifer Donnelly is an American author known for her work in children’s and young adult fiction. She studied English Literature and European History at the University of Rochester. Donnelly’s writing often explores historical themes and settings, blending fiction with real-world events.

Her debut novel for young readers, A Northern Light, was published in 2003. The book is set in 1906 and follows a young woman named Mattie Gokey as she navigates personal ambitions and family responsibilities in rural New York. A Northern Light received the Carnegie Medal in 2003.

Donnelly is also the author of the Waterfire Saga, a fantasy series for young readers published by Disney-Hyperion. The series includes Deep Blue (2014), Rogue Wave (2015), Dark Tide (2015), and Sea Spell (2016). The books follow a group of mermaids on a quest to save their underwater world.

In addition to her young adult novels, Donnelly has written historical fiction for adults and contributed to anthologies. Her novel Stepsister, published by Hot Key Books in 2019, reimagines the story of Cinderella’s stepsister and explores themes of identity and resilience.

Jennifer Donnelly’s A Northern Light was awarded the Carnegie Medal in 2003.