AdLit.org is a national multimedia project offering information and resources to the parents and educators of struggling adolescent readers and writers. AdLit.org is an educational initiative of WETA, the flagship public television and radio station in the nation's capital, and is funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York and by the Ann B. and Thomas L. Friedman Family Foundation.
Bio
Shannon's mother says she was a storyteller from birth, jabbering endlessly in nonsensical baby-talk. Once she could speak, she made up stories and bribed younger siblings to perform them in mini-plays until, thankfully, an elementary school teacher introduced her to the wonder of written fiction. At age 10, she began to write books, mostly fantasy stories where she was the heroine.
She continued to write secretly for years while pursuing acting in television, stage, and improv comedy. After detours studying in Mexico, the UK, and a year and a half as an unpaid missionary in Paraguay, Shannon earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Utah. She was finally forced out of the writers' closet when she received her Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Montana.
The Goose Girl, her critically acclaimed first book, is an ALA Teens' Top Ten and Josette Frank Award winner. Enna Burning, River Secrets, and Forest Born are companion books to Goose, continuing the Bayern books series. Princess Academy is a Newbery Honor Book and a New York Times best seller. Book of a Thousand Days, her latest fairy tale retelling, received a CYBILS award. She and her husband Dean co-wrote the graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge, which was selected by Today's Al Roker for Al's Book Club for Kids. Its sequel, Calamity Jack follows in January 2010.
Shannon makes her home near Salt Lake City, Utah, with her super-human husband, their young son and daughter, and their pet, a small plastic pig.
Selected Books
from Shannon Hale
Age Level: 14-16
When the Crown Princess of Kildenree is passed over for the throne and sent to marry the prince of Bayern, she escapes and disguises herself as a goose until she is able to reclaim the throne that is rightfully hers. Based on the Grimm's fairy tale, this story-the first in the Books of Bayern series-is filled with treachery and romance, and features a powerful female protagonist.
Age Level: 12-14
Like her brother Liefer before her, Enna has discovered the key to wielding fire as a weapon in battle. Will the power consume her? This fantasy tale is a companion to other Books of Bayern titles listed here.
Age Level: 12-14
When Razo, the victim of constant bullying, is selected for a special mission representing his country, he learns to appreciate himself and assumes an important role negotiating peace between warring countries. This fantasy tale is a companion to other Books of Bayern titles listed here.
Age Level: 12-14
Why has Rin become uneasy in her forest home and distrustful of her neighbors? And will a journey deeper into the Forest, toward the enemy, offer any solace? This fantasy tale is a companion to other Books of Bayern titles listed here.
Age Level: 9-12
This re-telling of the familiar fairy tale is set in the Wild West and features a spunky heroine who teams partners with Jack (of the Beanstalk) to fight injustice.
Age Level: 12-14
When Lady Saren refuses to marry a man she doesn't love, she and her maid are sentenced to seven years in a tower prison. Just when things are getting really bad, two potential love interests arrive.
Age Level: 9-12
Miri only wants to work with the miners in her town, but she’s forced to enter a school where girls are trained to be worthy of the prince. Cut off from her family, Miri confronts issues of class and gender.
