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Jennifer Donnelly

ジェニファー・ドネリー

Jennifer Donnelly

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1963-08-16 （Port Chester, New York, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Rye, New York → Port Leyden, New York → Brooklyn, New York

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Author, Writer
Active Years
2002-

Education

University of Rochester
Faculty of Arts (English Literature) / English Literature
Degree: B.A.
Period: 1981–1985
Year of Graduation: 1985
Country: United States
Earned a B.A. in English Literature
Birkbeck College, University of London
Country: United Kingdom
Attended; specific graduation details not available

Awards

Carnegie Medal
2003
Work: A Northern Light (published in the UK as A Gathering Light)
Organization: CILIP / Carnegie Medal committee
Result: Winner
Los Angeles Times Book Prize (Young Adult)
2003
Work: A Northern Light
Category: Young adult literature
Organization: Los Angeles Times
Result: Winner
Michael L. Printz Award
2003
Work: A Northern Light
Organization: American Library Association (YALSA)
Result: Honor
Odyssey Award
2011
Work: Revolution (audiobook)
Category: Audiobook
Organization: American Library Association (ALSC / YALSA)
Result: Honor
Green Earth Book Award
2015
Work: Deep Blue (Waterfire Saga)
Organization: The Nature Generation
Result: Winner
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults
2019
Work: Fatal Throne (Anne of Cleves chapter)
Organization: American Library Association (YALSA)
Result: Selection
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults
2020
Work: Stepsister
Organization: American Library Association (YALSA)
Result: Selection
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults
2021
Work: Poisoned
Organization: American Library Association (YALSA)
Result: Selection
Carnegie Medal (nominee)
2010
Work: Revolution
Organization: CILIP
Result: Nominee

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Tea Rose

2002 Historical fiction 500 pages

Set in the late 19th century East End of London, follows a young woman born into poverty who struggles to survive and seek a better life; first book of a trilogy following the Finnegan family across continents.

class and social mobilityfamilymigration and adventure

A Northern Light

2003 Young adult historical fiction

A coming-of-age novel set in 1906 in the Adirondacks, inspired by the real murder of Grace Brown; explores ambition, choices, and the constraints faced by young women.

coming of agefemale independencemoral choices
Translations
  • Published in the UK as A Gathering Light

Revolution

2010 Young adult fiction (with historical elements)

Intertwines the story of a modern Brooklyn teenager with that of a girl living during the French Revolution; themes of trauma, connection across time, and healing.

past and present juxtapositionhealing and redemptionidentity

Deep Blue

2014 Young adult fantasy (marine/mermaid fantasy)

First book of the Waterfire Saga, a four-book YA series about mermaids; focuses on the sea, nature, friendship, and adventure.

environmental stewardshipfriendshipadventure

Stepsister

2019 Young adult retelling (fairy tale retelling)

A retelling that continues where Cinderella leaves off, following Isabelle (the stepsister) and exploring fate, chance, and the possibility of redemption.

fate and choiceself-reinventioncompassion and forgiveness
Adaptations
  • [Film rights] Stepsister (film rights)

Poisoned

2020 Young adult retelling (fairy tale retelling)

A retelling of Snow White that reinterprets the classic princess tale, focusing on characters' inner lives and power dynamics.

power and desireidentityreexamination of female perspectives
Adaptations
  • [Film rights] Poisoned (film rights)

Bibliography

  • Humble Pie
  • The Tea Rose
  • A Northern Light (A Gathering Light)
  • The Winter Rose
  • Revolution
  • The Wild Rose
  • Deep Blue
  • Rogue Wave
  • Dark Tide
  • These Shallow Graves
  • Sea Spell
  • Lost in a Book
  • Fatal Throne (Anne of Cleves chapter)
  • Stepsister
  • Poisoned
  • Molly's Letter (A Tea Rose story)

Adaptations

  • Film rights for Stepsister and Poisoned acquired by Endeavor Content

Style & Themes

Literary Style
focused interior characterizationdetailed period and historical settingaccessible voice for young readers
Recurring Motifs
female independence and choicethe sea and naturedialogue between past and present

Legacy

Jennifer Donnelly has been recognized in both YA and historical fiction; A Northern Light won the Carnegie Medal and was named among Time's 100 Best YA Books. She has collaborated with Disney and sold film rights for her fairy-tale retellings, leaving a significant mark on contemporary young-adult fiction.

Archives

  • Library of Congress (multiple catalog records)

In Popular Culture

  • A chant from Deep Blue inspired the song 'Open Your Eyes,' released by Hollywood Records and performed by Bea Miller.

Quotes

  • (About Revolution) "the hardest book I've written."
    Source: Jennifer Donnelly interview / newsletter (2011)

Trivia

  • Often confused with actress Jennifer Connelly due to similar names.
  • Official website: https://www.jenniferdonnelly.com/
  • A Northern Light was published in the UK as A Gathering Light.