Jeanne DuPrau

Jeanne DuPrau is a distinguished American author, well-known for her fantasy and young adult novels. Raising to prominence with her acclaimed Books of Ember series, DuPrau has captivated the hearts of readers through her imaginative and enthralling storytelling. Although writing was not her initial career goal, DuPrau's early love for crafting stories is evident in her first book, Frosty the Snowman, which she wrote and illustrated at the tender age of five.

DuPrau currently resides in Menlo Park, California, where she finds inspiration for her writing. In her spare time, she indulges in a variety of hobbies that reflect her diverse interests. From ice skating to bird watching, gardening to playing the piano, and even cooking, DuPrau's passion for creativity extends beyond the pages of her novels. Additionally, she is an environmental enthusiast and drives a hybrid car that operates on both electricity and gasoline.

DuPrau's dedication to writing is unwavering, as she spends several hours each day crafting sentences and making difficult decisions about the direction of her stories. She finds solace in a quote by Thomas Mann, which reads, "A writer is someone for whom writing is harder than it is for other people," which encourages her to persevere through the challenges of the writing process. In addition to her novels and nonfiction works, DuPrau has also written numerous essays and short stories.

DuPrau's personal life is as interesting as her professional one. Although she doesn't have children, she shares her home with a dog named Ethan, who provides her with companionship and inspiration. Together, they enjoy going for walks, taking car rides to surprise destinations, and gardening. DuPrau's love for nature is also evident in her choice of residence, as she lives in a region where a variety of plants thrive, from apples to zinnias.
Book of Ember Books
# Title Year
1 The City of Ember 2003
2 The People of Sparks 2004
3 The Prophet of Yonwood 2006
4 The Diamond of Darkhold 2008
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 Golden God 1981
2 The Earth House 1992
3 Car Trouble 2005
4 Project F 2023
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Adoption: The Facts, Feelings and Issues of a Double Heritage 1981
2 The Apple IIgs Book 1987
3 Cloning 1999
4 Cells 2001
5 The American Colonies 2001
Jeanne DuPrau Anthologies
# Title Year
1 What You Wish For: A Book for Darfur 2011
2 Brave New Love: 15 Dystopian Tales of Desire 2012