Janet Fox is the author of twelve books for young readers. Her first book, GET ORGANIZED WITHOUT LOSING IT (Free Spirit 2006 with a new 2017 edition) is a non-fiction self-help guide for middle graders. Her three young adult novels, FAITHFUL, FORGIVEN, and SIRENS (2010-2012, all from Penguin/Puffin) are all historical mysteries set in the U.S. in the early part of the last century.

THE CHARMED CHILDREN OF ROOKSKILL CASTLE (Viking 2016) and its companion THE ARTIFACT HUNTERS (Viking 2020) are both middle grade historical fantasies set in Scotland during World War 2. CHARMED CHILDREN received starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Shelf Awareness, is on a number of state lists, and is a Junior Library Guild selection. The novel won SCBWI’s Crystal Kite award in 2017. Her contemporary middle grade novel about homelessness, CARRY ME HOME (Simon & Schuster 2021) is on numerous state lists and was a finalist for the 2022 Willa Literary Award.

Janet’s debut picture book, VOLCANO DREAMS: A STORY OF YELLOWSTONE (Web of Life 2019, illustrated by Marlo Garnsworthy), is non-fiction featuring the Yellowstone super volcano. Her second picture book, WINTERGARDEN (Neal Porter Books, 2023, illustrated by Jasu Hu), about a child growing a garden on a winter windowsill, has received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Shelf Awareness.

Her next two books are the middle grade contemporary treasure hunt THE MYSTERY OF MYSTIC MOUNTAIN (Simon & Schuster, fall 2024) and THE REAL ROSALIND, co-authored with Debbie Dunn, out from Lerner in spring 2025.

Praise for Janet Fox’s books:

CARRY ME HOME

A Bank Street Best Book 2022

Long-listed for Reading the West Book Awards 2022, Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association

Finalist: Texas Institute of Letters Deirdre Siobhan FlynnBass Award for Best Middle Grade Book 2021

Selected for the 2022-2023 Maine Student Book Award List

“Fox offers a message via Jack when he learns about Lulu’s life: “No one should have to live in a car.” Cranes—paper ones that Lulu and Selena fold, inspired by both the story of Hiroshima survivor Sadako Sasaki and the sandhill cranes migration—represent wishes granted and a kind of grace, leading to a satisfying, redemptive conclusion nicely pitched to a young audience.” -Kirkus

“Fox’s moving story is told in flashes of the “Now,” “Before,” and “Way Before,” slowly and affectingly filling in the family’s history, as well as a detailed explanation of their situation. A reassuring but realistic ending encourages readers to ask for help when needed and emphasizes that there is always someone who will care. A compassionate and empathetic examination of being unhoused.” – Booklist

THE CHARMED CHILDREN OF ROOKSKILL CASTLE

A Junior Library Guild selection and a Spring 2016 Indies Next pick.

“Witchy magic, Nazi menace, and clockwork all come into play, along with an Enigma machine and spies for both the Allies and the Nazis seeking occult sources of power or protection. After the breathtaking climax, various threads of the story are tied up in a drawing-room denouement in which the characters decide to dispose of toxic magical artifacts rather carelessly—though in a way that invites anticipation (and fortuitously leaves room for sequels). An original, clever, page-turning adventure.” —Kirkus, starred review

“This wonderfully written gothic fairy tale pairs the horror elements with a steampunk witch and mysterious staff, all while telling a war espionage tale. Embedded lessons—even including Plato’s cave allegory—from a pair of sympathetic castle teachers provide clues to defeating the evil witch. Readers will curl up and keep the lights on with this chilling page-turner.” —Booklist, starred review

“True-to-life protagonists, the skillful interweaving of flashbacks and the chatelaine motif, a masterful final encounter, and a satisfying denouement attest to Fox’s craftsmanship.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This gothic middle-grade novel, set in Scotland, mixes ancient magic with World War II spycraft.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review

“Fox presents readers with a wonderfully paced, exciting story with enough twists to keep the pages turning. The strong female lead and adventure on every page will keep any reader entertained from the first page to the last.” —School Library Journal

SIRENS

“Yes, there’s a mystery here. It involves Jo’s supposedly dead brother, Lou’s gangster boyfriend, bootlegging, a bombing, missing pages from a journal, and more than a few Dark Secrets. All of which was quite fun, though it’s not why Sirens was a stand-out for me….Sirens is a celebration of girl power, sisterhood, and hope for the future.” —Kirkus

FORGIVEN

“Kula Baker, who had a small role in Fox’s engaging Faithful (2010), takes center stage as she journeys from Yellowstone to San Francisco…Slowly and at great peril, she uncovers secrets of the past. The San Francisco earthquake and acute class consciousness of Kula’s Native American roots feature hugely in this gripping tale.” —Booklist

“Fox manages to weave the many strings of the plot together nicely, with everything reaching a climax during the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake that leveled the city. Kula’s story comes to a heartbreaking, bittersweet conclusion that will leave readers satisfied.” —School Library Journal

2011 Junior Library Guild Selection

2012 WILLA Literary Awards

FAITHFUL

“Fox combines mystery, romance, and a young girl’s coming-of-age in this satisfying historical tale.” —Booklist

“The wilderness of Yellowstone…is lovingly and beautifully depicted…the gradual revelation of the truth about Maggie’s mother, the developing relationship between Maggie and Tom, and the thrilling episodes sprinkled throughout will engage readers.” —School Library Journal

YALSA 2011 Nominee: Best Fiction for Young Adults

2011 ALA Amelia Bloomer List Pick

GET ORGANIZED WITHOUT LOSING IT

“Fox uses humor to provide practical, easy-to-follow ideas for organizing desks, backpacks, and lockers; managing time for homework and after school activities; planning long-term projects; and taking better notes…a great book for middle school and junior high teens when they have more subjects and activities to manage.” —Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) Magazine

National Association of Parent Publications Awards (NAPPA): 2006 award-winner

Midwest Independent Publisher’s Association (MIPA) Midwest Book Awards: 2007 merit award.

Presentations:

Classroom and large group youth presentations (assemblies):

Grow Your Ideas, Grow Your Own Wintergarden – 30min in length (Grades PK-4)

It’s an interactive program, as attendees will hear Janet read from her picture book WINTERGARDEN, then learn how a simple idea about planting seeds can become a book. After the presentation, she will hand out seed packets and demonstrate a simple way for them to grow a “garden” of healthy edibles on their school or home windowsill.

Story-crafting: From Idea to Finished Book – 45min in length (Grades 5-9)

It’s an interactive program designed to spark kids’ imaginations, while leaning into the story behind CARRY ME HOME, a middle grade novel about a pair of sisters who are homeless. Attendees will learn the step-by-step nature of creating a story from idea to completion. And they will be introduced to a relevant social issue and some ways they can make a difference.

One Writer’s Process, From Concept to Publication – 45min in length (Grades 6-12)

How do writers come up with ideas? How do they write and how long does it take to write a novel? How does the publication process work? What does an editor do? All of these questions and more will be discussed in this tour through Janet’s life as a writer, with emphasis on encouraging young writers. In-class exercises can be incorporated for smaller groups. 

Workshops – Max 50 students (Grade levels 5-9)

Based on the program “Story-crafting: From Idea to Finished Book,” Janet runs a deeper craft based writing workshop with more writing and sharing of student work. Students should come equipped with a pencil/pen, paper, and/or writing journal.

Writing Conferences and Workshops (Adults):

Craft Elements: A presentation covering any specific aspect of craft – character, voice, plot, world-building, research, theme, etc. – that suits the needs of the audience.

Read our interview with Janet Fox

Read news from Janet Fox

[testimonials ids=”2367″]

Website

Availability and Honorariums