Jane Kerr

"Kate is honest when I ask tough questions and she's always on my side."

Jane Kerr is an author, journalist and BBC radio producer. She writes middle grade children’s books with a particular emphasis on fast-paced adventure stories with a mysterious twist. She’s a keen supporter of the Manchester Museum where she found true-life inspiration for her acclaimed debut novel, The Elephant Thief.

Jane’s books have been nominated for the CLIP Carnegie Medal, longlisted for the Branford Boase and shortlisted for many awards including the Calderdale, Warwickshire and Waverton children’s book awards in the UK; and the Arizona Grand Canyon and Bank Street College of Education awards in the USA.

JANE’S BOOKS

The Great Animal Escapade, Chicken House 2019; The Elephant Thief, Chicken House, 2017.

REVIEWERS

“The blend of fact and fiction is perfectly balanced.”

Daily Mail

“A classic-in-the-making.”

The Times

“Brilliant.”

The Telegraph

Latest Book

THE WRITERS WHO MOST INSPIRED JANE

There are so many, but three stand out from a childhood of devouring books – L M Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables), Louisa May Alcott (Little Women) and Elinor M Brent-Dyer (the Chalet School series) – because they wrote about girls who were brave and clever and interesting, and loved adventure.

JANE ABOUT KATE

Kate is always at the other end of the phone if I need her, she is honest when I ask tough questions and she’s always on my side. It also helps that she likes cake.

KATE ABOUT JANE

The pace, power and vibrancy of Jane’s storytelling are breathtaking and her characters are so real. She knows how to tell a tale well, and she knows what makes a great story too.