Jenny Valentine
Jenny Valentine worked in a wholefood shop in Primrose Hill for 15 years where she met many extraordinary people – including the inspiration for character Violet Park – and sold more organic loaves than there are words in her first novel. She studied English Literature at Goldsmith’s College, which almost put her off reading but not quite.
Finding Violet Park, winner of the Guardian Fiction Prize and shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, was published in January 2007, followed by Broken Soup in January 2008. The Ant Colony, published in March 2009, is her third teen novel. Jenny is married to a singer/songwriter and has two children. She lives in Hay-on-Wye, where she runs another wholefood shop, hoping to find the inspiration for many more novels.
Books
Broken Soup
Author: Jenny Valentine
Publisher: HarperCollins Childrens Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 9+
When she meets Harper, a traveller from the US, and Bee, a newcomer to her school, Rowan rediscovers a life beyond mourning, a hope for restoring her family’s life, and a life beyond death for Jack.
Iggy and Me on Holiday
Author: Jenny Valentine Illustrator: Joe Berger
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 8+
Flo's little sister, Iggy, is devastated when her first summer term comes to an end. What will she do all day for six whole weeks and can anything be as exciting as school?
The Ant Colony
Author: Jenny Valentine
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Interest age: 12-13
Reading age: 9+
Sam and Bo reveal their pasts in alternate chapters, each gradually facing the dysfunctional relationships and traumatic incidents which have triggered their current unlikely friendship.
The Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight
Author: Jenny Valentine
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 8+
Jenny Valentine presents another enthralling, perplexing and thought-provoking novel exploring family, friendship and identity.