Matthew J. Kirby

Matthew J. Kirby is a successful American author, best known for his young adult fantasy novels. He was born in Utah and spent his childhood moving around the country due to his father's career in the Navy. As a result, Kirby attended multiple elementary and high schools in locations such as Rhode Island, Maryland, California, and Hawaii. These early experiences of moving and adapting to new environments have greatly influenced his writing, allowing him to create diverse and immersive worlds in his novels.

As an adult, Kirby pursued higher education, earning degrees in both history and school psychology. His undergraduate major in history has been instrumental in providing historical depth and authenticity to his fantasy stories. Meanwhile, his background in school psychology has given him valuable insights into the minds of young readers, enabling him to craft engaging and relatable characters for his target audience.

During the majority of the year, Matthew J. Kirby works with students, dedicating the remaining months to his writing. He and his wife currently reside in northern Utah, where he continues to produce captivating novels for young adult readers. Kirby's works have gained recognition and praise within the children's literature sphere, offering a refreshing focus on middle-schoolers, a demographic that often goes unnoticed amidst the popularity of young adult and early childhood literature. His stories provide a valuable contribution to this market, offering entertaining and thought-provoking narratives for this age group to enjoy.