Jennifer Roy

Jennifer Roy is an American children's author known for both fiction and educational works. Her most acclaimed book "Yellow Star" received multiple prestigious awards including the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award and the Sydney Taylor Honor Award. Roy has authored over 35 educational books for children ages 5-16, including the instructional "You Can Write" series. She collaborated with her twin sister Julia DeVillers on the "Trading Faces" series, which spans five books including "Take Two," "Times Squared," "Double Feature," and "Triple Trouble." Her diverse works include "MindBlind," a novel about a gifted boy with Asperger syndrome that earned a YALSA award, and "Jars of Hope," her first illustrated book. Her 2018 work "Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein" draws from true events during the first Gulf War. Roy holds a degree from the State University of New York at Oswego and continues to contribute to children's literature through both fiction and educational works. Her books have consistently earned recognition from major review publications including Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal.

Readers appreciate Roy's ability to tell difficult historical stories in an age-appropriate way, particularly in Yellow Star and Mindblind. Parents and teachers note her books help children understand complex topics without overwhelming them. Her works receive praise for: - Clear, accessible writing style for young readers - Character authenticity, especially in portraying disabilities - Historical accuracy based on family experiences - Handling sensitive subjects with appropriate tone Main criticisms include: - Some books feel repetitive - Side characters need more development - A few readers find the pacing too slow Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Yellow Star: 4.2/5 (7,800+ ratings) Mindblind: 3.9/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: Yellow Star: 4.7/5 (180+ reviews) Trading Faces series: 4.5/5 (50+ reviews) One teacher wrote: "Yellow Star opened meaningful discussions about the Holocaust with my 5th graders in a way textbooks never could."

Yellow Star - Based on the true story of Roy's aunt Sylvia, who was one of only 12 children to survive the Lodz Ghetto in Poland during World War II.

MindBlind - A novel following a 14-year-old genius with Asperger syndrome navigating social challenges and personal relationships.

Jars of Hope - The true story of Irena Sendler, who helped save 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust by smuggling them out of the Warsaw Ghetto.

Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein - A biographical account of an Iraqi boy's experiences during the First Gulf War, based on the true story of Ali Fadhil.

Trading Faces Series (with Julia DeVillers): Trading Faces - Twin sisters switch places at their new middle school. Take Two - Identical twins face challenges when one gets a TV role. Times Squared - The twins navigate friendship and identity in New York City. Double Feature - Twin sisters deal with rivalry during a film competition. Triple Trouble - The twins meet another set of identical sisters.

"You Can Write" Educational Series: You Can Write a Story - Guide teaching story writing fundamentals to young students. You Can Write a Report - Instructions for students on report writing basics. You Can Write a Poem - Introduction to poetry writing for young learners.

Kathryn Erskine writes middle-grade novels featuring young protagonists facing personal challenges, including "Mockingbird" about a girl with Asperger's syndrome. Her work addresses complex topics through accessible narratives that blend family dynamics with personal growth.

Lois Lowry combines historical fiction and contemporary themes in works like "Number the Stars" and "The Giver." She tackles serious subjects through child perspectives while maintaining historical accuracy and educational value.

Linda Sue Park creates stories that blend cultural heritage with universal experiences, exemplified in "A Long Walk to Water" and "When My Name Was Keoko." She focuses on historical events through young protagonists while incorporating educational elements.

Sharon Draper writes about diverse characters facing real-world challenges in books like "Out of My Mind" and "Copper Sun." She draws from her teaching background to create stories that combine educational value with compelling narratives.

Deborah Ellis produces works based on real-world events and interviews, including "The Breadwinner" series and "Off to War." She combines journalism with storytelling to create books that inform readers about global issues through personal narratives.