Robin Benway is an

author An author is the writer of a book, article, play, mostly written work. A broader definition of the word "author" states: "''An author is "the person who originated or gave existence to anything" and whose authorship determines responsibility f ...

young adult fiction Young adult fiction (YA) is a category of fiction written for readers from 12 to 18 years of age. While the genre is primarily targeted at adolescents, approximately half of YA readers are adults. The subject matter and genres of YA correlate ...

from Orange County, USA, most known for her novel ''Far from the Tree'', which won the 2017

National Book Award The National Book Awards are a set of annual U.S. literary awards. At the final National Book Awards Ceremony every November, the National Book Foundation presents the National Book Awards and two lifetime achievement awards to authors. The Nat ...

for Young People's Literature.

Early life

She started her career in the publishing industry initially working as a book publicist and sales rep, coordinating events at BookSoup in Los Angeles. Feeling inspired, she quit her job and started applying to writing programs. She attended college at both

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then- Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, th ...

and the

University of California at Los Angeles The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California ...

. Benway was rejected from every Master of Fine Arts program she applied to. When she wasn't accepted, she instead took a writing class at

UCLA Extension UCLA Extension is a public continuing education institution headquartered in Westwood, Los Angeles, on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles. Classes are held at UCLA, in Downtown Los Angeles, and other locations throughout L ...

taught by

Rachel Cohn Rachel Cohn (born December 14, 1968) is an American young adult fiction writer. Her first book, '' Gingerbread'', was published in 2002. Since then she has gone on to write many other successful YA and younger children's books, and has collabora ...

, where she wrote the first chapter of her eventual debut novel ''Audrey, Wait''.

Career

Also Known As Series (2013-214)

Plot

The series is about a former code cracker and member of a secret association. The first novel, ''Also Known As'', was published by Simon & Schuster in 2013, and in the Uk as ''Sleuth or Dare'' in 2014.

Reception

Reviews were quite mixed. The guardian called the second book, ''Also Known As/Sleuth or Dare'', "not one of Benway's best novels," due to its confusing story. Publisher's Weekly said " readers will be sufficiently invested to see the mission through to completion." School Library Journal reviewed the audiobook and recommended it for teenagers who enjoy mysteries.

Far From the Tree (2017)

Plot

''Far From the Tree'' is about three siblings who reconnect 15 years after were adopted, and thus separated. When one of them, 16-year-old Grac,e gives up her baby for adoption, she feels the desire to reconnect with her biological family.

Background

She drew on the relationship to her brother for inspiration. The book is also dedicated to him.

Reception

The novel was met with positive reviews. Kirkus Reviews called it a "compassionate, funny, moving, compulsively readable novel." It also won the 2017

for Young People's Literature, and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. School Library Journal called it "Well-written and accessible."

The Wicked Ones (2023)

Plot

The first in a new series of fairytale retellings, The Wicked Ones is a retelling of the story of Cinderella, as experienced through the eyes of her stepsisters. It was published by Disney Press in January 2023

Reception

Kirkus Reviews called it "Psychologically astute entertainment with a bite," while School Library Journal called it a "secondary purchase", but suitable for Disney fans.

Bibliography

Also Known As Series

* ''Also Known As'' (2013) * ''Going Rogue'' (2014)

Standalones

* ''Audrey, Wait!'' (2008) * ''The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June'' (2010) * ''Emmy & Oliver'' (2015) * ''Far from the Tree'' (2017) * ''A Year to the Day'' (2022) * ''The Wicked Ones'' (2023)

References

External links

Official site
at

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...

(June 4, 2015) {{DEFAULTSORT:Benway, Robin American writers of young adult literature American women children's writers Living people New York University alumni University of California, Los Angeles alumni Women writers of young adult literature American children's writers Year of birth missing (living people) 21st-century American women