Jan Mark

Jan Mark (1943-2006) was amongst the finest authors to emerge in the second golden age of children's books. She won the Carnegie Medal twice (for her first novel, Thunder and Lightnings and for Handles) and received a host of other commendations and prizes. A former teacher, she spent many years working in schools, alongside her full-time writing. As a reader, science-fiction was a passion and informed several of her most ambitious books, including the three titles on the Silver list - as well as The Eclipse of the Century (shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Award) and Useful Idiots.