📖 Overview
Robin Benway is an American young adult fiction author whose work has achieved significant critical acclaim. Her novel "Far from the Tree" won the 2017 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, establishing her as a prominent voice in contemporary young adult literature.
Beginning her professional life in the publishing industry as a book publicist and sales representative, Benway worked at BookSoup in Los Angeles before transitioning to writing. After taking a writing class at UCLA Extension taught by Rachel Cohn, she wrote what would become her debut novel "Audrey, Wait!"
Benway's work spans multiple genres within young adult fiction, including contemporary realistic fiction and spy novels. Her "Also Known As" series follows a teenage spy and code-breaker, while "Far from the Tree" explores themes of adoption, family bonds, and identity through the story of three biological siblings who meet for the first time as teenagers.
The author holds degrees from both New York University and the University of California at Los Angeles. Her novels consistently address complex themes of identity, relationships, and self-discovery, resonating with both teenage and adult readers.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Benway's authentic teen voices, complex family dynamics, and emotional depth across her young adult novels. Her characters deal with difficult topics like adoption, identity, and relationships while maintaining humor and hope. Far From the Tree earned particular recognition for its portrayal of siblings and family bonds.
Reviews highlight Benway's ability to balance serious themes with lighter moments. Many note her skill at writing believable dialogue and creating distinct character personalities within ensemble casts.
Some readers find her pacing slow, particularly in the middle sections of novels. A portion of reviews mention predictable plot elements and romance storylines that feel formulaic.
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- Far From the Tree: 4.28/5 (47,000+ ratings)
- Emmy & Oliver: 4.0/5 (11,000+ ratings)
- Audrey, Wait!: 3.8/5 (15,000+ ratings)
Amazon averages 4.5/5 stars across her titles, with Far From the Tree receiving the highest reader scores.
📚 Books by Robin Benway
Audrey, Wait! - A 16-year-old girl becomes an overnight celebrity when her ex-boyfriend writes a hit song about their breakup.
Also Known As - A teenage spy who is a gifted safe-cracker takes on her first solo mission while navigating high school and romance.
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June - Three sisters discover they have supernatural powers following their parents' divorce.
Going Rogue - The sequel to Also Known As follows teenage spy Maggie as she deals with a personal betrayal while on a new mission.
Far from the Tree - Three biological siblings, separately adopted as infants, find each other as teenagers and explore their shared history.
A Year to the Day - A story told in reverse chronological order about a girl processing her sister's death over the course of a year.
Also Known As - A teenage spy who is a gifted safe-cracker takes on her first solo mission while navigating high school and romance.
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June - Three sisters discover they have supernatural powers following their parents' divorce.
Going Rogue - The sequel to Also Known As follows teenage spy Maggie as she deals with a personal betrayal while on a new mission.
Far from the Tree - Three biological siblings, separately adopted as infants, find each other as teenagers and explore their shared history.
A Year to the Day - A story told in reverse chronological order about a girl processing her sister's death over the course of a year.
👥 Similar authors
Sarah Dessen writes contemporary young adult fiction focusing on complex family dynamics and coming-of-age experiences. Her novels explore similar themes of identity and relationships that appear in Benway's work, with characters navigating personal growth and family challenges.
E. Lockhart crafts stories about teenage identity and family secrets, particularly in works like "We Were Liars" and "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks." Her writing style combines psychological depth with family dynamics similar to Benway's approach.
Morgan Matson creates contemporary young adult novels centered on friendship, romance, and personal discovery. Her books feature characters dealing with life changes and relationship complexities comparable to those found in Benway's works.
Ally Carter writes young adult spy fiction and adventure stories featuring teenage protagonists. Her "Gallagher Girls" series shares similarities with Benway's "Also Known As" series in its exploration of teenage spies and secret identities.
Nina LaCour focuses on emotional depth and interpersonal relationships in her young adult novels. Her writing examines family bonds and self-discovery themes that parallel Benway's treatment of similar subjects in works like "Far from the Tree."
E. Lockhart crafts stories about teenage identity and family secrets, particularly in works like "We Were Liars" and "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks." Her writing style combines psychological depth with family dynamics similar to Benway's approach.
Morgan Matson creates contemporary young adult novels centered on friendship, romance, and personal discovery. Her books feature characters dealing with life changes and relationship complexities comparable to those found in Benway's works.
Ally Carter writes young adult spy fiction and adventure stories featuring teenage protagonists. Her "Gallagher Girls" series shares similarities with Benway's "Also Known As" series in its exploration of teenage spies and secret identities.
Nina LaCour focuses on emotional depth and interpersonal relationships in her young adult novels. Her writing examines family bonds and self-discovery themes that parallel Benway's treatment of similar subjects in works like "Far from the Tree."