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Ann Kelley

アン・ケリー

An Kerī

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1941-12-17
Nationality
British
Languages
English
Residence History
St Ives, Cornwall, UK

Career

Occupations
children's writer, poet, photographer, lecturer
Active Years
1988-
Affiliations
Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (Honorary Teaching Fellow)

Awards

Costa Book Awards (Children's Book of the Year)
2007
Work: The Bower Bird
Category: Children's Book
Organization: Costa Book Awards
Result: Winner
Branford Boase Award (shortlist)
Work: The Burying Beetle
Organization: Branford Boase Award
Result: Shortlisted

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Burying Beetle

2005 Children's literature

A novel following 12-year-old Gussie, who has pulmonary atresia. Told from her perspective, it explores her zest for life, curiosity, and efforts to live fully despite a life-limiting heart condition. The character was partially modelled on the author's late son.

chronic illnessorgan donationloss and renewalfamilycoming of age

The Bower Bird

2007 Children's literature

The Bower Bird, a follow-up to The Burying Beetle, continues the story of Gussie and examines life, death, family, and relationships, prompting reflection on organ donation and the meaning of life. It won the Costa Children's Book of the Year.

organ donationlife and deathfamilyhope and grief

Inchworm

2008 Children's literature

Koh Tabu

2010 Children's literature

Lost Girls

2012 Children's literature

Runners

2013 Children's literature

Last Days in Eden

2017 Children's literature

The Poetry Remedy

1999 Poetry

Paper Whites

2001 Poetry and photography

Because We Have Reached That Place

2006 Poetry

Born and Bred

1988 Photography

Sea Front

2005 Photography

The Light at St Ives

2010 Photography

Bibliography

  • The Poetry Remedy (1999)
  • Paper Whites (2001)
  • Born and Bred (1988)
  • Sea Front (2005)
  • The Burying Beetle (2005)
  • The Bower Bird (2007)
  • Inchworm (2008)
  • Koh Tabu (2010)
  • Because We Have Reached That Place (2006)
  • Lost Girls (2012)
  • Runners (2013)
  • Last Days in Eden (2017)
  • The Light at St Ives (2010)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
lyrical, emotionally resonant proseblend of realistic description and poetic expressionfocus on the child's perspective
Recurring Motifs
sea and coastal landscapesillness and the bodyloss and renewalfamily and memory

Legacy

Ann Kelley is known for children's literature that portrays the resilience of children with serious illness and highlights the importance of organ donation. She has also been recognized for her poetry and photography, gained wider attention after winning the Costa Award, and contributed to medical education through poetry workshops and work with patients.

Quotes

  • 'Gussie just came to me. I don't write for children, I write for a reader. It's a glimpse into the head of a child with a chronic disease... Please be an Organ Donor.'
    Source: Interview in The Sunday Telegraph (2008) (2008)

Trivia

  • Her son Nathan Kelley, who had a congenital heart condition, discovered two new fish cancers at age 16 (registered with the Smithsonian).
  • Won the Costa Children's Book of the Year for The Bower Bird.
  • Published photography collections such as Born and Bred and Sea Front.
  • Serves as an honorary teaching fellow at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry.