Eoin Colfer
Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father (an elementary school teacher, historian and artist of note) and mother (a drama teacher). He first developed an interest in writing in primary (elementary) school with gripping Viking stories inspired by history he was learning in school at the time!
After leaving school he got his degree from Dublin university and qualified as a primary school teacher, returning to work in Wexford. He married in 1991 and he and his wife spent about four years between 1992 and 1996 working in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. His first book, Benny and Omar, was published in 1998, based on his experiences in Tunisia; it has since been translated into many languages. Then in 2001 the first Artemis Fowl book was published and he was able to resign from teaching and concentrate fully on writing.
Books
Artemis Fowl
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 8-12
Reading age: 10+
Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl hatches an ingenious plot to steal all the gold in fairy land.
Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 9+
In the seventh installment of the series, criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl has summoned an elite group of hi-tech fairies to Iceland.
Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+
In this fifth episode in the ongoing saga of Colfer's teenage criminal mastermind, Artemis feels the first stirrings of adolescent emotion
Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 9+
Faced with the imminent death of his mother as a result of his irresponsible behaviour in an earlier adventure, Artemis Fowl travels back to confront his younger self
Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 10+
In his third adventure, Artemis Fowl sets out to extract money from a powerful businessman by exploiting stolen fairy technology.
Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+
In the eighth and final volume in the saga of Artemis Fowl the power-crazed pixie Opal Koboi is plotting to exterminate mankind and become fairy queen
Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
Author: Eoin Colfer
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+
The Fairy People have a problem - the evil pixie known as Opal Koboi is hell-bent on world destruction, and they need help from Artemis Fowl.
Illegal
Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 10-16
Reading age: 10+
Illegal tells the story of Ebo, a 12-year-old boy who flees grinding poverty, zero opportunities and a drunken uncle in his small village in Africa. An absolute must-read, this graphic novel is thought-provoking, profound, sensitive and totally gripping.
Imaginary Fred
Author: Eoin Colfer
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+
Fred is an imaginary friend who floats like a feather in the clouds, waiting for a lonely child to wish him into existence. This uplifting and funny picture book about overcoming loneliness celebrates the power of hope and friendship.
Mariella, Queen of the Skies
Author: Eoin Colfer
Illustrator: Katy Halford
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 7+
A funny first "chapters" book with lively illustrations, in which a budding young scientist tries to find a way to slow down time so she doesn’t have to go to bed...