Lynne.Reid Banks author page

Lynne Reid Banks biography

Lynne Reid Banks is a British author known for her work in children’s and young adult literature. She published her first novel, The L-Shaped Room, in 1960. The book was shortlisted for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and later adapted into a film in 1962. Banks has written over forty books, including novels for adults and children.

Her most widely recognised children’s book is The Indian in the Cupboard, published in 1980. The novel was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children’s Book Award and has sold millions of copies worldwide. It was adapted into a feature film in 1995. The book is the first in a series, followed by The Return of the Indian (1986), The Secret of the Indian (1989), The Mystery of the Cupboard (1993), and The Key to the Indian (1998).

Banks has also written The Farthest-Away Mountain (1976), One More River (1973), and its sequel Broken Bridge (1994). Her work includes retellings of classic stories, such as Angela and Diabola (1997) and Harry the Poisonous Centipede (1996), which became a trilogy.

In addition to her writing, Banks worked as an actress and journalist. She spent several years living in Israel, where she taught on a kibbutz. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and have received international recognition. In 2013, Banks was awarded the J. M. Barrie Award for her contribution to children’s literature.