Michelle Knudsen
Michelle Knudsen | |
|---|---|
 Knudsen in May 2015 | |
| Occupation | Author |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Cornell University Vermont College of Fine Arts (MFA) |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Website | |
| www | |
Michelle Knudsen is a New York Times best-selling American children's author.[1] She has written more than 50 books for children, including the multiple-award-winning Library Lion, the Trelian middle grade fantasy trilogy, and the Evil Librarian young adult horror/comedy/romance trilogy.
Knudsen graduated from Cornell University and received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.[2][3] She currently teaches in the University of San Francisco's MFA program in Writing for Young Readers.
Biography
[edit] | This section contains promotional content. (July 2026) |
Knudsen is a New York Times best-selling author of more than 50 books for young readers, including board books, picture books, early readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. She is the author of the award-winning picture book Library Lion, which has been translated into twenty languages[4], is being performed as a musical stage production in Boston[5], and was selected by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Best Children's Books of All Time[6]. She is also the author of the middle grade fantasy novel Into the Wild Magic (winner of the 2025 Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction[7]); the Trelian trilogy of fantasy novels (The Dragon of Trelian, The Princess of Trelian, and The Mage of Trelian); and the Evil Librarian trilogy of young adult novels, the first of which was awarded the 2015 Sid Fleischman Award for Humor[8] and has been adapted into a musical for the stage by Landless Theatre Company. Michelle also works as a freelance editor and writing teacher, and is a member of the MFA in Writing for Young Readers faculty at the University of San Francisco. She lives in Brooklyn, New York City.[9]
Bibliography
[edit]Young adult novels
[edit]- Evil Librarian (2014)
- Revenge of the Evil Librarian (2017)
- Curse of the Evil Librarian (2019)
- Cursed Princess Club: A Most Unusual Princess (2025)
- Cursed Princess Club: Mirror, Mirror (2026)
Middle grade novels
[edit]- The Dragon of Trelian (2009)
- The Princess of Trelian (2012)
- The Mage of Trelian (2016)
- Into the Wild Magic (2025)
Chapter books
[edit]- She Persisted: Nellie Bly (2021)
Trade picture books
[edit]- Library Lion, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (2006)
- Argus, illustrated by Andréa Wesson (2011)
- Big Mean Mike, illustrated by Scott Magoon (2012)
- Marilyn's Monster, illustrated by Matt Phelan (2015)
- Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (2024)
Short stories
[edit]- "The Bridge to Highlandsville" in the MG anthology I Fooled You (2010)
- "From the Notebook of Gregorey, Keeper of Village Elders Meeting Minutes" in Underland Arcana (2023)
- "The Pigeon" in The Drabblecast (2023)
- "Biter" in Adventitious (2026)
Beginning readers
[edit]- Raymond Briggs' The Snowman (1999)
- Dinosaur Days: Road to Writing (2001)
- Colorful Chameleons! (2001)
- Cat Hat (2001)
- Hit or Myth: Road to Writing (2001)
- The Case of Vampire Vivian (2003)
- A Slimy Story (2004)
- Fish and Frog (2005)
- Carl the Complainer (2005)
- A Moldy Mystery (2006)
- Bugged! (2008)
- Smart Shark (2017)
Board books and novelty
[edit]- Noah's Ark (1999)
- Valentine's Day (2001)
- Love (2001)
- Happy Halloween (2001)
- Merry Christmas (2001)
- Easter Basket (2002)
- Easter Egg (2002)
- Happy Easter! (2003)
- Princess Party (2003)
- Fairy Friends (2003)
- Mother's Day Ribbons (2005)
- Hearts and Kisses (2006)
- Easter Fun (2006)
Mass market picture books
[edit]- Angel Babies
- Old MacDonald's Farm
- Autumn Is for Apples (2001)
- Winter Is for Snowflakes (2003)
Coloring and activity books
[edit]- Godzilla: Monster Coloring Fun! (1998)
- Godzilla: Adventures to Color! (1998)
- Godzilla: Monster Coloring, Puzzles, and Codes! (1998)
- Godzilla: Monster Coloring, Mazes, and Games! (1998)
- Star Wars Episode I: Heroes and Villains Coloring Book (1999)
- Star Wars Episode I: Anakin's Adventures to Color (1999)
- Star Wars Episode I: Jar Jar's Coloring Fun (1999)
- Star Wars Episode I: Galactic Puzzles and Games (1999)
- Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Missions to Color (1999)
- Star Wars Episode I: Droids, Creatures, and Vehicles Coloring Book (1999)
Awards
[edit]Library Lion
[edit]- One of Time magazine's 100 Best Children's Books of All Time[10]
- Junior Library Guild Selection.[11]
- NAIBA (New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association): 2007 Picture Book of the Year
- School Library Journal Best Books of 2006
- Amazon.com Best Picture Book of 2006
- Time of Wonder Award from the Maine Discovery Museum
- Book Sense Book of the Year Children's Illustrated Honor Book
- Publishers Weekly Cuffie Award
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio 2007 Platinum Award
- Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Books of the Year
- Child Magazine's Best Children's Book Award
- Winter 2006–2007 Book Sense Children's Picks List Selection
- 2006 Wilde Picture Book Award
- Irma S. and James H. Black Honor Book[12]
- Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Honor Book (2008-2009)
- Patricia Gallagher Children's Choice Picture Book Award Nominee (2011)[13]
- The Sakura Medal (2008)[14]
- Nebraska Golden Sower Award (2008-2009)[15]
- Norfolk Libraries' Children's Choice Award (2008)[16]
- Show Me Readers Award Nominee (2008-2009)[17]
- Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee (2009)[18]
- South Carolina Picture Book Award nominee (2008-2009)[19][20]
- ABC Best Books for Children Catalog Selection[21][22]
- Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominee (2008)[23]
- Utah Beehive Picture Book Award nominee (2008)[24]
- Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award Master List (2008-2009)[25]
- Montana Treasure State Award winner (2009)[26]
Big Mean Mike
[edit]- Junior Library Guild Selection
- Amazon.com Best Book of the Year
- Eric Carle Museum Picture Book of Distinction (2012)[27]
- Irma S. and James H. Black Award winner (2013)[28]
- CBC Children's Book Council Children's Choice Book Award finalist (2013)[29]
- Mississippi Magnolia Award winner (2014)[30]
- Wisconsin Golden Archer Award winner (2014)[31]
Marilyn's Monster
[edit]Evil Librarian
[edit]The Dragon of Trelian
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "New York Times Children's Best Seller List". The New York Times. June 2007.
- ↑ "Author Biography, Gotham Writers". Archived from the original on 2014-04-08.
- ↑ "Interview with Author Bethany Hegedus". March 2011.
- ↑ https://www.michelleknudsen.com/library_lion_77788.htm
- ↑ https://www.adamtheater.org/library-lion
- ↑ https://time.com/3393405/100-best-childrens-books/
- ↑ https://nebulas.sfwa.org/introducing-sfwas-61st-annual-nebula-award-winners/
- ↑ https://cbcbooks.org/2015/03/05/scbwi-announces-the-winners-and-honorees-of-the-2015-golden-kite-awards-sid-fleischman-award/
- ↑ "Biography - Michelle Knudsen". www.michelleknudsen.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "The 100 Best Children's Books of All Time". Time. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "Candlewick Press".
- ↑ "Bankstreet College of Education". 4 March 2024.
- ↑ "Patricia Gallagher Nominees and Winners 1998-2014" (PDF). Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Winners!". Sakuramedal. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ Kofoed, Sharon. "Research Guides: Handy Topics in the Curriculum Department: Golden Sower Award". guides.library.unk.edu. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "Norfolk Libraries' Children's Choice Award". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Archived Show Me Information - Missouri Association of School Librarians". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee - Book Awards - LibraryThing". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ↑ "South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee | Book awards | LibraryThing". www.librarything.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ Michelle (2008-03-15). "SCASL". Michelle Knudsen. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "Candlewick Press - awards/reviews/quotes". www.candlewick.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "LIBRARY LION - Michelle Knudsen". www.michelleknudsen.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ Smith, Jennifer. "2008 Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master Lists". kba.nku.edu. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "Beehive Book Awards list of winners and nominees". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Junior Library Guild". www.juniorlibraryguild.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "TSA History". www.montanareads.org. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "Eric Carle Museum Picture Books of Distinction 2012" (PDF). Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Bank Street - List of Past Winners". www.bankstreet.edu. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "2013 Winners and Finalists | Book Lists | Children's Book Council". www.cbcbooks.org. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "Magnolia Award Past Recipients | The University of Southern Mississippi". www.usm.edu. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "Golden Archer Winners - WEMTA". www.wemta.org. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "NPR's Book Concierge". NPR.org. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "KNEA - RCC Item". www.knea.org. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "WSRA Children's Literature Committee Picture This! List 2016" (PDF). Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ↑ "SCBWI | Sid Fleischman Award Winners". www.scbwi.org. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ NGILBERT (2015-02-03). "2015 Best Fiction for Young Adults". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Archived from the original on 2015-05-12. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "Winners Circle Archive". the new england book show. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "GMBA Master List 2015-2016" (PDF). Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award | Department of Libraries". libraries.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ↑ "SCBWI Summer Reading List 2016" (PDF). Retrieved November 27, 2016.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michelle Knudsen.
