📖 Overview
Kelly Barnhill is an American author primarily known for her fantasy and children's literature. Her most acclaimed work, "The Girl Who Drank the Moon," earned her the 2017 Newbery Medal, establishing her as a significant voice in middle-grade fiction.
Barnhill's writing style combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, and magical realism, often exploring themes of power, identity, and social justice. Her notable works include "The Witch's Boy," "Iron Hearted Violet," and "When Women Were Dragons," with the latter being recognized by Kirkus Reviews as one of the best science fiction and fantasy books of 2022.
Drawing inspiration from Ray Bradbury and traditional fairy tales, Barnhill crafts narratives that reflect personal experiences and social observations. Her work frequently addresses themes of isolation, transformation, and self-discovery, influenced by her own experiences as a young student and her later exposure to social activism.
The author's storytelling is marked by complex female characters and intricate plots that challenge conventional fantasy tropes. Her books have garnered multiple awards and nominations, including the World Fantasy Award, cementing her position in contemporary speculative fiction.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Barnhill's lyrical writing style and her ability to weave complex themes into stories accessible to both children and adults. Many reviews point to her skill at creating unique fairy tale atmospheres while addressing deeper topics like grief, power, and family relationships.
Readers liked:
- Imaginative world-building
- Emotional depth of characters
- Beautiful prose that doesn't feel pretentious
- Messages about kindness and acceptance
Common criticisms:
- Pacing issues, particularly slow starts
- Some plots become convoluted
- Character development can feel uneven
- Writing style too flowery for some tastes
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
The Girl Who Drank the Moon - 4.2/5 (118k ratings)
The Witch's Boy - 4.0/5 (11k ratings)
The House with Golden Windows - 4.1/5 (3k ratings)
Amazon:
The Girl Who Drank the Moon - 4.7/5
When Women Were Dragons - 4.4/5
BookBrowse reader reviews note her books work well for family reading, with one parent stating "It sparked meaningful discussions with my children about loss and hope."
📚 Books by Kelly Barnhill
The Girl Who Drank the Moon (2016)
In a world where one baby is sacrificed each year to appease a witch, a kind witch named Xan accidentally feeds moonlight to an infant, filling her with extraordinary magic.
The Ogress and the Orphans (2022) A once-prosperous town faces decline as an Ogress and a group of orphans uncover the truth about their seemingly perfect mayor and the real meaning of community.
When Women Were Dragons (2022) In an alternate 1950s America, women spontaneously transform into dragons during the "Mass Dragoning," while society attempts to deny and suppress this reality.
Iron Hearted Violet (2012) A princess who doesn't match conventional beauty standards discovers ancient secrets in her castle while confronting a dormant dragon and a mysterious force threatening multiple worlds.
The Witch's Boy (2014) A boy must protect his deceased mother's magical power stored in his body while forming an unlikely alliance with a bandit's daughter to prevent war between two kingdoms.
The Mostly True Story of Jack (2011) A boy who was invisible in his old life discovers his true significance when he moves to rural Iowa and becomes entangled in an ancient magical conflict.
The Ogress and the Orphans (2022) A once-prosperous town faces decline as an Ogress and a group of orphans uncover the truth about their seemingly perfect mayor and the real meaning of community.
When Women Were Dragons (2022) In an alternate 1950s America, women spontaneously transform into dragons during the "Mass Dragoning," while society attempts to deny and suppress this reality.
Iron Hearted Violet (2012) A princess who doesn't match conventional beauty standards discovers ancient secrets in her castle while confronting a dormant dragon and a mysterious force threatening multiple worlds.
The Witch's Boy (2014) A boy must protect his deceased mother's magical power stored in his body while forming an unlikely alliance with a bandit's daughter to prevent war between two kingdoms.
The Mostly True Story of Jack (2011) A boy who was invisible in his old life discovers his true significance when he moves to rural Iowa and becomes entangled in an ancient magical conflict.
👥 Similar authors
Katherine Arden writes fantasy novels that blend historical fiction with Slavic folklore and mythology. Her Winternight Trilogy features a strong female protagonist navigating between the mundane and magical worlds, similar to Barnhill's approach to weaving fantasy with reality.
Frances Hardinge creates middle-grade fantasy stories with intricate worldbuilding and themes of identity and power. Her work, including "The Lie Tree" and "Deeplight," features young protagonists discovering hidden truths about their worlds and themselves.
Naomi Novik combines fairy tale elements with original fantasy storytelling in works like "Uprooted" and "Spinning Silver." Her stories feature complex female characters who challenge established power structures while exploring magic systems rooted in folk traditions.
Diana Wynne Jones crafts fantasy narratives that mix humor with serious themes and feature unconventional magic systems. Her books, including the Chrestomanci series, share Barnhill's interest in subverting traditional fantasy expectations while maintaining accessibility for younger readers.
Grace Lin writes stories that incorporate cultural folklore with contemporary themes and complex character development. Her works, such as "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon," blend traditional storytelling elements with modern narrative structures in ways that echo Barnhill's approach to fantasy.
Frances Hardinge creates middle-grade fantasy stories with intricate worldbuilding and themes of identity and power. Her work, including "The Lie Tree" and "Deeplight," features young protagonists discovering hidden truths about their worlds and themselves.
Naomi Novik combines fairy tale elements with original fantasy storytelling in works like "Uprooted" and "Spinning Silver." Her stories feature complex female characters who challenge established power structures while exploring magic systems rooted in folk traditions.
Diana Wynne Jones crafts fantasy narratives that mix humor with serious themes and feature unconventional magic systems. Her books, including the Chrestomanci series, share Barnhill's interest in subverting traditional fantasy expectations while maintaining accessibility for younger readers.
Grace Lin writes stories that incorporate cultural folklore with contemporary themes and complex character development. Her works, such as "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon," blend traditional storytelling elements with modern narrative structures in ways that echo Barnhill's approach to fantasy.