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= Jo Knowles =

Jo Knowles (born September 8, 1970) is a young adult and children’s book author, reviewer and writing instructor who lives in Vermont. Knowles grew up in Meredith, NH and holds a MA in Children’s Literature from Simmons University. Knowles writes realistic young adult and middle grade fiction and recently sold her first picture book. Her novels Peal and See You at Harry’s both won Crystal Kite Awards in 2012 and 2013 respectively. In addition, See You at Harry’s was also a New York Times Notable Children’s Book in 2012 and an ALA Notable Children’s Book in 2013. Several of her other books have won awards and her first novel, Lessons from A Dead Girl, for which she won the PEN New England Children's Book Discovery Award, is on the ALA Frequently Challenged Young Adult Books list.

Knowles is known for her activism both in her writing where she honestly addresses difficult issues and in her speaking on the role of YA literature in society. Kate Messud writing for the New York Times noted that “Acutely aware of the challenges teenagers must face, Jo Knowles has, in the past six years, written several acclaimed young adult novels tackling some of the more grueling hurdles, including teenage pregnancy and abuse.” Knowles book Jumping Off Swings is the subject of a scholarly examination of the representations of teenage mothers in Young Adult fiction and Knowles herself has spoken and been interviewed on a wide range of subjects related to YA fiction including issues of tough topics for teens.

Knowles serves on the faculty of the Mountain View Low-Residency MFA program at Southern New Hampshire University and is a guest lecturer and mentor at the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont.

Novels
Lessons from a Dead Girl, Candlewick Press, 2007

An unflinching story of a troubled friendship — and one girl’s struggle to come to terms with secrets and shame and find her own power to heal. PEN New England Children's Book Discovery Award and New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, 2008

Jumping Off Swings, Candlewick Press, 2009

One pregnancy. Four friends. It all adds up to a profound time of change in this poignant, sensitively written YA novel. Bank Street College’s 2010 Best Books for Children (with outstanding merit) and YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, 2010

Pearl, Henry Holt, 2011

Bean (née Pearl) has a special relationship with her grandfather, Gus. Gus's death unleashes a host of family secrets that brings them all together. And they threaten to change everything—including Bean's relationship with Henry, her first friend, and who also might turn out to be her first love. American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults, 2012 and Bank Street College’s 2012 Best Books for Children

See You at Harry’s, Candlewick Press, 2012

Starting middle school brings all the usual challenges for twelve-year-old Fern. She feels invisible — until the unthinkable happens, and Fern feels not only more alone than ever, but also responsible for the tragedy that has wrenched her family apart. Nothing will ever be the same — but can Fern and her family find a way to heal? New York Times Notable Book of 2012 and American Library Association ALA Notable Children’s Books, 2013

Living with Jackie Chan, Candlewick Press, 2013

After fathering a baby, a teenager moves in with his karate-loving uncle and tries to come to terms with his guilt — and find a way to forgive. YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2014 and Westchester Fiction Award, 2014

Read Between the Lines, Candlewick Press, 2015

Does anyone ever see us for who we really are? Jo Knowles’s revelatory novel of interlocking stories peers behind the scrim as it follows nine teens and one teacher through a seemingly ordinary day. Vermont Book Award Finalist, 2016 and YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, 2016

Still a Work in Progress, Candlwick Press, 2016

In a return to middle-grade fiction, master of perspectives Jo Knowles depicts a younger sibling struggling to maintain his everyday life when his older sister is in crisis. A Washington Post Best Book of the Month, 2016 and Housatonic Book Award, 2018