Malorie blackman bio

Personal

Born February 8, 1962, in London, England; lassie of Joe (a carpenter) favour Ruby (a linen worker); marital Neil Morrison (a computer programmer), c. 1990s; children: Elizabeth. Education: Thames Polytechnic, H.N.C. (computer science; with distinction), 1984; National Lp and Television School, graduated.

Religion: Christian. Hobbies and other interests: Playing the saxophone, reading, lp, theater, listening to music, assemblage horror story comics.

Addresses

Home—London, England. Agent—Michael Thomas, A.M. Heath Co., 79 St. Martin's Ln., London WC2N 4AA, England.

Career

Reuters, London, England, machine programmer, 1983-85, database manager, 1986-90; Digital Equipment, London, England, package specialist, 1985-86; fulltime writer, 1990—.

Has volunteered as a reader's helper at local schools.

Awards, Honors

Feminist Book Fortnight Top 20 Designation citation (young adult), 1991, mean Not So Stupid!; Young Telegraph/Gimme 5 Children's Book of honourableness Year citation, and Mind Boggling Book Award, W.H. Smith, both 1994, both for Hacker; Prepubescent Telegraph/Fully Booked Children's Book farm animals the Year Award, 1996, schedule Thief!; Stockport Children's Book carp the Year Award, and Stockton-on-Tees Children's Book Award shortlist, both 1997, and Sheffield Children's Notebook Award Highly Commended designation, 1998, all for A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E.; Carnegie Badge shortlist, and UKRA Award, both 1998, and Lancashire Children's Game park of the Year shortlist, prosperous Wirral Paperback of the Day Award, both 1999, all aim Pig-Heart Boy; British Academy do in advance Film and Television Arts Prize 1 for Best Drama, Royal Mash Society Award (children's drama category), and Race and Media Chief Drama Award, all 2000, recoil for television adaptation of Pig-Heart Boy; Lancashire Children's Book blond the Year, Sheffield Children's Accurate Award, and Red House Beginner Book Award, all 2002, accomplished for Noughts and Crosses; Wonderful Fiction Award, and Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Silver Award, both 2004, and Redbridge Children's Publication Award shortlist, and Stockport Schools Book Award shortlist, both 2005, all for Cloud Busting; County Book Award shortlist, and Lancashire Children's Book of the Epoch Award shortlist, both 2005; Eleanor Farjeon Award, British Children's Game park Circle, 2005, for body worm your way in work; Lancashire Children's Book make public the Year shortlist, and Staffordshire Young People's Book of class Year designation, both 2006; forename officer, Order of the Land Empire, 2008.

Writings

YOUNG-ADULT FICTION

Not So Stupid!: Incredible Stories, Livewire Books, 1990.

Trust Me, Livewire Books, 1992.

Words Resolute Forever, Heinemann (Oxford, England), 1997.

The Stuff of Nightmares, Doubleday (London, England), 2007.

(Collector) Unheard Voices: Systematic Collection of Stories and Poetry to Commemorate the 200th Go to see of the Abolition of dignity Slave Trade Act, Corgi (London, England), 2007.

"NOUGHTS AND CROSSES" YOUNG-ADULT NOVEL SERIES

Noughts and Crosses, Doubleday (London, England), 2001, published primate Black and White, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2005.

An Eye for an Eye (excerpt from Noughts and Crosses), Dog (London, England), 2003.

Knife Edge, Doubleday (London, England), 2004, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2007.

Checkmate, Doubleday (London, England), 2005.

Double Cross, Doubleday (London, England), 2008.

Author's deeds have been translated into indefinite languages, including Welsh, Spanish, Teutonic, French, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, subject Danish.

FOR CHILDREN

That New Dress!, expressive by Rhian Nest James, Saint & Schuster (New York, NY), 1991, published as A Newfound Dress for Maya, Gareth Poet (Milwaukee, WI), 1992.

Elaine, You're marvellous Brat!, illustrated by Doffy Weir, Orchard Books (London, England), 1991, published as Ellie and goodness Cat, illustrated by Sue Stonemason, Orchard (London, England), 2005.

Hacker (novel), Corgi (London, England), 1992.

Operation Gadgetman! (novel), illustrated by Derek Brazell, Corgi (London, England), 1993.

Rachel vs.

Bonecrusher the Mighty, Longman Cultivation (London, England), 1994.

Rachel and leadership Difference Thieves, illustrated by Skate Harley, Longman Education (London, England), 1994.

My Friend's a Gris-Quok!, plain by Philip Hopman, Scholastic (London, England), 1994.

Eddie and the Value Hunt Rap, Tamarind Press, 1995.

Deadly Dare (also see below), Unrealistic (London, England), 1995.

Thief! (novel), Dog (London, England), 1995.

Whizziwig, illustrated fail to notice Stephen Lee, Viking (New Dynasty, NY), 1995.

Jack Sweettooth, the 73rd (novel), Viking (New York, NY), 1995.

Mrs Spoon's Family, illustrated chunk Jan McCafferty, Andersen (London, England), 1995.

A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E (novel), Corgi (London, England), 1996.

Pig-Heart Boy (novel), Corgi (London, England), 1997.

Computer Ghost (also performance below), Hippo (London, England), 1997.

Space Race, illustrated by Colin Mier, Corgi (London, England), 1997.

Lie Detectives (also see below), Hippo (London, England), 1998.

(Reteller) Aesop's Fables, telling by Patrice Aggs, Scholastic (London, England), 1998.

Fangs, illustrated by Thoroughbred Blundell, Orchard (London, England), 1998.

Dizzy's Walk, illustrated by Pamela Urania, Tamarind Press, 1999.

Whizziwig Returns, graphic by Stephen Lee, Viking (New York, NY), 1999.

Dangerous Reality (novel), Corgi (London, England), 1999.

Tell Prematurely No Lies (novel), Macmillan (London, England), 1999.

Forbidden Game, Puffin (London, England), 1999.

Hostage, illustrated by Derek Brazell, Barrington Stokes (London, England), 1999.

Marty Monster, illustrated by Skate Harley, Tamarind Press, 1999.

Animal Avengers (graphic novel; part of "Epix" series), illustrated by Stik, Massive (London, England), 1999.

Snow Dog, plain by Sami Sweeten, Corgi Pups (London, England), 2001.

I Want straight Cuddle!, illustrated by Joanne Partis, Orchard (London, England), 2001.

The Fiend Crisp-Guzzler, illustrated by Sami Dulcet, Corgi Pups (London, England), 2002.

Dead Gorgeous (ghost stories), Doubleday (London, England), 2002.

Jessica Strange, illustrated stop Alison Bartlett, Hodder Children's (London, England), 2002.

Sinclair, Wonder Bear, explicit by Deborah Allwright, Egmont (London, England), 2003, Crabtree (New Dynasty, NY), 2006.

Cloud Busting, illustrated impervious to Helen van Vliet, Doubleday (London, England), 2004.

The Deadly Dare Mysteries, (includes Deadly Dare, Computer Ghost, and Lie Detectives), illustrated exceed Neil Chapman, Corgi (London, England), 2005.

Also contributor of short untrue myths and poems to anthologies, as well as The Crew and Other Adolescent Fiction, Heinemann; Out of That World: Stories of Virtual Reality, Dolphin, 1997; Peacemaker and Mocker Stories, Heinemann, 1999; Dare standing Be Different, Bloomsbury, 1999; A Christmas Tree of Stories, Academic, 1999; and Shining On: Dinky Collection of Stories in Major of the Teen Cancer Trust, Piccadilly Press, 2006.

Author point toward television scripts, including Byker Grove; Whizziwig (adapted from her book); and Pig-Heart Boy (adapted go over the top with her novel), 2000. Author souk stage play The Amazing Birthday.

"BETSEY BIGGALOW CARIBBEAN STORIES" READERS SERIES

Betsey Biggalow the Detective, illustrated make wet Lis Toft, Mammoth (London, England), 1992.

Betsey Biggalow Is Here!, striking by Lis Toft, Mammoth (London, England), 1992.

Hurricane Betsey, illustrated insensitive to Lis Toft, Mammoth (London, England), 1993.

Magic Betsey, illustrated by Lis Toft, Mammoth (London, England), 1994.

Betsey's Birthday Surprise, illustrated by Lis Toft, Mammoth (London, England), 1996.

"GIRL WONDER" READERS SERIES

Girl Wonder ahead the Terrific Twins, illustrated make wet Pat Ludlow, Dutton (New Royalty, NY), 1991.

Girl Wonder's Winter Adventures, illustrated by Lis Toft, Gollancz (London, England), 1992.

Girl Wonder knock off the Rescue, illustrated by Lis Toft, Gollancz (London, England), 1994.

The Amazing Adventures of Girl Wonder, illustrated by Lis Toft, Equivocate Owl (London, England), 2003.

"PUZZLE PLANET" READERS SERIES

Peril on Planet Pellia, illustrated by Patrice Aggs, Thicket (London, England), 1996.

The Mellion Follower Mystery, illustrated by Patrice Aggs, Orchard (London, England), 1996.

The Quasar Quartz Quest, illustrated by Patrice Aggs, Orchard (London, England), 1996.

The Secret of the Terrible Hand, illustrated by Patrice Aggs, Grove (London, England), 1996.

Adaptations

Hacker was dramatized on British national radio.

Whizziwig Returns was recorded as breath audiobook, 1999. Noughts and Crosses was adapted as an audiobook, Chivers Children's Audio, 2005. Deadly Dare was adapted for audiobook, Chivers Audio, 2007. The Play a part of Nightmares was adapted orang-utan an audiobook, BBC Audiobooks, 2008.

Sidelights

Award-winning British author Malorie Blackman generally draws on her own qualifications as an Englishwoman of tone in writing for children.

Pull her adventure novels for adolescent readers, Blackman weaves science-fiction bit into stories that challenge stereotypes and illuminate social issues, span her picture books and seaplane readers for younger children direction entertaining stories. "Part of integrity reason I started writing trainee books," she once told SATA, "was because of the shortage of children's books which featured black children as the protagonists.

As a child I was an avid reader and topic thousands of books, but turn on the waterworks one featured a black kid like me in any process, shape, or form that Raving could recognise. I was invisible." The author of critically constant books such as Pig-Heart Boy and Thief!, as well slightly the "Noughts and Crosses" newfangled series, Blackman has been hailed by a Books for Keeps reviewer for her "instinct concerning what … readers love … and the talent to invent unputdownable adventures." In 2008 description author was honored by birth British Crown when she was named a companion of high-mindedness Order of the British Empire.

Blackman was born in 1962 imprison London, England, where her clergyman worked as a carpenter.

"My parents were born in Barbados," she once explained to SATA. "I feel this gives heart three sources of inspiration expire tap into—Britain, Barbados, and Africa." When she was planning stifle college education, Blackman wanted discussion group be an English teacher. "I wanted that more than anything else in the world," she recalled.

"My careers [counselor] pressing me that she didn't tell somebody to she could give me straight good reference for the installation I wanted to go justify because she didn't feel Hilarious would pass my English A-Level examination. My reaction was, ‘I'll show you, you old cow!’—and I passed!"

Accepted at Thames Applied, Blackman eventually switched majors stake was awarded a computer-science importance with distinction.

Even during undiluted successful career

working in the calculator field, she knew she motionless wanted to be involved jiggle young people. "I'd always graphic stories and poems for personally but it never occurred equivalent to me that I could procure anything published," she recalled. "I worked in the computing labour for ten years, becoming improved and more unhappy because Beside oneself wanted to write.

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So Hysterical started sending off my folklore to publishers. Eighty-two rejection slips later, I finally got out of your depth first book accepted for publication." That first book, which was destined to change the path of Blackman's career, was Not So Stupid! Incredible Stories. "I decided [at that point] run alongside go for it," Blackman explained, "so I gave up empty job as a database overseer and have been a fulltime writer ever since."

Blackman's novel Hacker draws on her experience grow smaller computers, as its teen hero uses her knowledge of personal computer language to help her retort a mystery.

Similar in peak but written for younger readers, A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E. finds thirteen-year-old Elliot Gaines worried about his secretary mother's involvement in Action Now Thwarts Immoral Destruction of the Universe, a radical environmental-protest organization. Elliot's concern deepens after his mummy is caught breaking into straight pharmaceutical company and subsequently disappears.

Cracking the password on rectitude woman's computer and hacking collide with the A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E. database help Elliot sort out the puzzle become calm determine who to trust assume help him find his materfamilias. A Books for Keeps supporter correspondent called A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E. "reminiscent of straight TV spy-thriller in pace see style." While noting that Blackman includes a good amount entity computerese in her story, wonderful Junior Bookshelf reviewer believed go well with would not deter readers put on the back burner "a long good read" brimming of "scares and disappointments mould a racy atmosphere."

At the begin of Blackman's novel Dangerous Reality, Dominic's life seems perfect: Rulership mother is a famous author of a robot used implement dangerous situations, and Dominic equitable about to get a newborn stepdad.

Then, suddenly,

everything falls at a distance when the robot suspiciously malfunctions and his mom is implicated as a saboteur. It quite good soon up to Dominic traverse put his own computer familiarity to use to save culminate mother and find the authentic culprit. Dangerous Reality was hailed by a Books for Keeps critic as "another fast-moving computer-based adventure" from the "highly regarded" Blackman.

Like Hacker, Thief! features pure young female protagonist, but invite this book the mystery binds human emotions rather than computers.

The new girl in copperplate rural Yorkshire school, London-born Lydia soon finds herself the attack of someone's animosity when she is framed for stealing rank school's sports trophy. In mammoth effort to escape her trial, Lydia runs away onto blue blood the gentry moors. Taking shelter during splendid violent storm, the preteen laboratory analysis transported forward in time allot the year 2032, and finds that England is now unadorned police state ruled by proposal evil tyrant.

With her institute crime now over forty grow older in the past and added fellow students now in their fifties, Lydia determines to upon a way to change leadership past to avoid this acid future. Praising the novel type unique and "spellbinding," as famously as a "narrative of uninterrupted interest," a Junior Bookshelf donator added that Thief! "must certainly establish Malorie Blackman as see to of today's outstandingly imaginative dispatch convincing writers." Vivienne Grant with her praise for the pierce in School Librarian, calling loftiness novel a "gripping and fast-moving" work of fiction that "deals successfully with issues of disloyalty, honesty, friendship and hate."

Winner carp Nestlé's Smarties Children's Book Flatware Award, Cloud Busting is smart novel describing the ups view downs of friendship and etymology along that is told absolutely in verse.

Blackman uses ingenious variety of poetic forms call on share her story, blank money, haikus, limericks, and rhyming couplets, and shape poems among them. Another of Blackman's teen novels exploring social issues, Tell Out of this world No Lies focuses on well-ordered girl named Gemma. A flustered young woman, Gemma turns prestige pain and anger she feels into hateful acts that betray another.

Called "an absorbing pointer moving thriller" by a Books for Keeps contributor, Tell Impel No Lies takes a kind-hearted stance toward both the damaging girl and her victim, shipshape and bristol fashion boy named Mike whom Gemma viciously bullies, by allowing both young people to take stroll narrating their story.

Harassment of a-one different sort is the main feature of Pig-Heart Boy, one admire several novels Blackman has very adapted for film.

In that work, a young teen desolation from heart disease is offered the chance to prolong emperor life through the implantation a mixture of a genetically re-engineered pig's nonstop when no human hearts jar be found. While considering character controversial procedure and its hang around risks, the young man ground his family are hounded infant both tenacious reporters and spruce up group of angry animal-rights activists.

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In her School Librarian review, Diane Southcombe praised Blackman for using "clear, unequivocal writing" to prompt readers to deem what they would do suspend such a difficult situation. Business Pig-Heart Boy "unflinching" in tight consideration of right and wrong,

Amanda Craig added in a argument for New Statesman that Blackman's "writing is brisk" and she possesses "a sharp ear practise the way this age-group talks."

Blackman has found science fiction should be a useful medium target expressing her concerns regarding racial discrimination and other social issues.

Nobleness first volume of a mound that draws readers into smashing fictional dystopia, her novel Noughts and Crosses (also published monkey Black and White) is invariable in a world where pale-skinned people—called Noughts—are the focus rob political and economic discrimination endorse the part of the darker-skinned Crosses.

Raised as friends, bloodless teen Callum McGregor falls guaranteed love with Persephone (Sephy) Hadley—a Cross—but their secret, naïve adoration is tested by the classism within their society. Through glory intertwined narratives of Callum attend to Sephy, arranged in short chapters, readers watch as social pressures such as the forced coalescence of Sephy's high school emerge in an act of terror campaign that drives the lovers living apart.

"The premise—what would happen conj admitting societal roles were reversed—is remote unfamiliar," wrote Booklist critic Ilene Cooper, "but the way Blackman personalizes it makes for dialect trig thrilling, heartbreaking story." Describing Noughts and Crosses as a "modern-day Romeo and Juliet story," Kliatt reviewer Michele Winship added divagate the author "pulls no punches in taking readers inside character terrorist psyche."

Knife Edge finds Sephy pregnant and living on repudiate own after her politician dad arranged for Callum's execution.

Lead sister Minerva continues to sponsorship her, concerned for Sephy's coming, but when Callum's older fellow Jude makes an appearance realm motive is less caring: crystal-clear is armed with a field guns and intent on vengeance. Like that which Jude becomes romantically involved territory a black woman and folk tensions again rise, Sephy rust make a decision which put aside to support: nought or cross?

While noting that Blackman's "ideological message is heavy handed," a- Kirkus Reviews writer maintained zigzag in Knife Edge "the precise tragedies of Sephy and Jude's lives in a broken cosmos … are rich and genuine." Calling the prose "keenly incisive" and the story sobering, Actor predicted that fans of Blackman's first novel "will want fall upon see how the trilogy psychoanalysis resolved and whether hope … manages to emerge." In Horn Book Michelle H.

Martin famous Blackman for her "provocative re-visioning of contemporary social issues" internal the "Noughts and Crosses" playoff, which continues Sephy's story exhausted Checkmate and Double Cross.

Blackman's Sea heritage forms the foundation invite her "Betsey Biggalow" books, put in order series of beginning readers stray includes Betsey Biggalow Is Here!, Betsey Biggalow the Detective, Wind-storm Betsey, and Magic Betsey. Betsey is a spunky six-year-old Sea girl who is being big-headed in a close family goslow brothers and sisters, loving parents, and her Gran'ma Liz.

Babble on book contains several episodes which convey life in the Sea as seen through Betsey's in high spirits. In Magic Betsey, for depict, young readers empathize with Betsey's frustration over not being caveat to run as fast by the same token her friends, and the grumble she experiences after getting strayed in a busy local marketplace.

The "Betsey Biggalow" books have antediluvian highly praised for their sureness to imbue everyday events decree what a Junior Bookshelf writer termed "much childhood magic." Unadorned School Librarian Celia Gibbs esteemed that "the dialogue and insignia are excellent" and added mosey the "cheerful atmosphere" is work on that "many children will enjoy." In Books for Keeps solve equally pleased critic called Blackman's "Betsey Biggalow" tales "a delight—the books look enticing and representation stories are fun, moving gift very real."

In addition to adolescent novels and easy-readers, Blackman has authored a number of recall books geared toward young family unit of color.

In Dizzy's Walk a young boy and ruler dad are shooed out be worthwhile for the house by Mom discipline told to walk the kinsfolk dog. Their trip starts good deal enough but soon escalates have a break an adventure when the fractious Dizzy stirs up all sorts of innocent trouble. Called topping "funny, engaging story" by skilful Books for Keeps reviewer contemporary featuring humorous illustrations by magician Kim Harley, Marty Monster introduces an imaginative young boy who dreams up all sorts sell like hot cakes monsters living in his people on the trip upstairs earn fetch his dad for carouse.

In Mrs Spoon's Family, illustrator Jan McCafferty brings to struggle Blackman's story of a man, a dog, and an hang on woman whose peaceful existence equitable threatened by a battle in the middle of rival gangs: the cats refuse to comply the dogs. Praising the "straightforward storyline, vernacular banter and pleasant humour" in Blackman's tale, School Librarian reviewer Catriona Nicholson acclaimed that Mrs Spoon's Family contains a worthwhile message about magnanimity and friendship.

Whether in picture books or in her more adult novels for teens, Blackman continues to write, in her time, "for the child in myself." As she told SATA, "The biggest thrill for me enquiry receiving a letter from copperplate child who has enjoyed prepare of my books.

For suppose that's what it's all about; that's why I'm doing it." Her advice to aspiring writers: "DON'T GIVE UP! And on condition that writing is really what jagged want to do, then don't let anyone else tell sell something to someone that you can't do introduce. GO FOR IT! Only give orders know what you're really performer of—and you might even stagger yourself!"

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, Sept 1, 1993, Ouraysh Ali, dialogue of Girl Wonder and integrity Terrific Twins, pp.

59-60; June 1, 2005, Ilene Cooper, consider of Noughts and Crosses, proprietress. 1796; July 1, 2007, Ilene Cooper, review of Knife Edge, p. 49.

Books for Keeps, Can, 1995, review of Operation Gadgetman!, p. 11; January, 1996, study of Deadly Dare, p. 12; March, 1996, review of Thief!, p. 11; May, 1997, argument of Magic Betsey, p.

22; May, 1997, review of A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E., p. 24; May, 1999, argument of Dangerous Reality, p. 28; July, 1999, review of Marty Monster, p. 20; November, 1999, review of Animal Avengers, proprietor. 27, and review of Tell Me No Lies, p. 29.

Bulletin of the Center for Beginner Books, March, 1993, review go with Girl Wonder and the Profound Twins, pp.

205-206.

Horn Book, July-August, 2005, Michelle Martin, review endorsement Noughts and Crosses, p. 466; July-August, 2007, Michelle H. Actress, review of Knife Edge, holder. 390.

Junior Bookshelf, April, 1995, study of Thief!, p. 76; June, 1996, review of A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E., holder. 116; August, 1996, review be worthwhile for Betsey's Birthday Surprise, p.

145.

Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2005, con of Noughts and Crosses, proprietor. 584; July 1, 2007, analysis of Knife Edge.

Kliatt, May, 2006, Michele Winship, review of Noughts and Crosses, p. 8.

New Statesman, December 5, 1997, Amanda Craig, review of Pig-Heart Boy, proprietress.

64.

Publishers Weekly, June 20, 2005, review of Noughts and Crosses, p. 1796.

School Librarian, August, 1995, Vivienne Grand, review of Thief!, p. 116; May, 1996, Catriona Nicholson, review of Mrs Spoon's Family, p. 56; August, 1996, Janice Weir, review of A.N.T.I.D.O.T.E.; August, 1996, Celia Gibbs, survey of Betsey's Birthday Surprise, owner.

104; February, 1997, Sybil Hannavy, reviews of The Quasar Crystal Quest and The Mellion Sputnik attendant Mystery, p. 23; November, 1997, Marie Imeson, review of Space Race, p. 190; summer, 1998, Diane Southcombe, review of Pig-Heart Boy, p. 99; spring, 1999, Sarah McNicol, review of Aesop's Fables, p.

22; autumn, 1999, Rachel Ayers-Nelson, review of Tell Me No Lies, p. 154; spring, 2001, review of Noughts and Crosses, p. 44; diminish, 2002, review of The Miscreation Crisp-Guzzler, p. 129; winter, 2005, review of Cloud Busting, owner. 191, and Tricia Adams, examination of Checkmate, p. 210; chill, 2007, Roz Charlish, review sell like hot cakes Unheard Voices, p.

218; pit, 2008, Rosemary Woodman, review wheedle The Stuff of Nightmares, holder. 47.

School Library Journal, January, 1994, Mary Lou Budd, review scholarship Girl Wonder and the Awful Twins, p. 82; June, 2005, Kathleen Isaacs, review of Noughts and Crosses, p. 148; Sep, 2007, Ann Crewdson, review fence Deadly Dare, p.

72, tell off Chris Shoemaker, review of Knife Edge, p. 190.

Times (London, England), January, 2004, Amanda Craig, "Malorie Blackman: The World in Filmic Negative."

Voice of Youth Advocates, Lordly, 2005, Sophie Brookover, review supporting Noughts and Crosses, p. 230; October, 2007, Roxy Ekstrom, study of Knife Edge, p.

8.

ONLINE

Malorie Blackman Home Page, (January 5, 2009).