Chris D'Lacey
Encyclopedia
Chris d'Lacey is an English
writer of children's fiction.
, but as a child moved first to Leicester
and then to Bolton
. After gaining a degree in biology from the University of York
, he returned to Leicester and got a job at the University of Leicester
in their Pre-Clinical Sciences department.
Originally his writing was confined to songs and he didn't turn to fiction until he was 32. His first piece of work was a 250,000 word story about polar bears for his wife, Jay, to accompany a stuffed polar bear he had bought her as a Christmas present.
He didn't write another story for seven years, until he heard about a competition to write a story for young children with a prize of £2,000. The resulting book, A Hole at the Pole, also about polar bears, didn't win - but he sent it off to a publisher, who accepted it.
His first children's novel, Fly, Cherokee, Fly, was published in 1998 and subsequently shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. It was inspired by the time he found an injured pigeon in Victoria Park
and nursed it back to health at home. It became a family pet and lived for 14 years in a birdbox attached to the back of the house. All of its offspring were given the names of different Native American tribes, which is where the title of the book comes from.)
He has since written over twenty children's books, including Pawnee Warrior (a sequel to Fly, Cherokee, Fly), a collaborative novel with fellow children's author Linda Newbery
(From E To You), and the best-selling, award-winning The Last Dragon Chronicles
. His books often contain environmental themes, and events based on things that have happened to him.
In July 2002 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Leicester for his contributions to children's literature. Although writing is now his main source of income, he still works at the university as the operator of the confocal microscope.
His favourite children's books are the Paddington Bear
series and The Hobbit
, and his favourite children's authors are Allan Ahlberg and Roald Dahl
. Chris D'Lacey has written many books like Ice Fire and Fire Star, but his most famous book was Dark Fire, the fifth book in The Last Dragon Chronicles.
Pawnee Warrior (2002)
The Salt Pirates of Skegness (2002)
The Prompter
(2003)
Falling 4 Mandy (2003)
Franklin's Bear (2003)
Horace (2004)
Shrinking Ralph Perfect (2005)
Dragons of Wayward Crescent series:
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
writer of children's fiction.
Biography
Chris d'Lacey was born in Valetta, MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, but as a child moved first to Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
and then to Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
. After gaining a degree in biology from the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
, he returned to Leicester and got a job at the University of Leicester
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
in their Pre-Clinical Sciences department.
Originally his writing was confined to songs and he didn't turn to fiction until he was 32. His first piece of work was a 250,000 word story about polar bears for his wife, Jay, to accompany a stuffed polar bear he had bought her as a Christmas present.
He didn't write another story for seven years, until he heard about a competition to write a story for young children with a prize of £2,000. The resulting book, A Hole at the Pole, also about polar bears, didn't win - but he sent it off to a publisher, who accepted it.
His first children's novel, Fly, Cherokee, Fly, was published in 1998 and subsequently shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. It was inspired by the time he found an injured pigeon in Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Leicester
Victoria Park in Leicester, England is a public park of 69 acres . It is in the south-east, just outside the city centre, backing on to the University of Leicester and close to the Leicester railway station....
and nursed it back to health at home. It became a family pet and lived for 14 years in a birdbox attached to the back of the house. All of its offspring were given the names of different Native American tribes, which is where the title of the book comes from.)
He has since written over twenty children's books, including Pawnee Warrior (a sequel to Fly, Cherokee, Fly), a collaborative novel with fellow children's author Linda Newbery
Linda Newbery
Linda Newbery is a British author, who began writing as a young adult author but has now broadened her range to encompass all ages. Now a full-time writer, she published her first novel Run with the Hare in 1988, while still working as an English teacher in a comprehensive school.Linda is a regular...
(From E To You), and the best-selling, award-winning The Last Dragon Chronicles
The Last Dragon Chronicles
The Last Dragon Chronicles is a series of seven novels by Chris d'Lacey. The books follow a college student, David Rain, as he discovers the existence of living clay dragons in the house he lodges at...
. His books often contain environmental themes, and events based on things that have happened to him.
In July 2002 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Leicester for his contributions to children's literature. Although writing is now his main source of income, he still works at the university as the operator of the confocal microscope.
His favourite children's books are the Paddington Bear
Paddington Bear
Paddington Bear is a fictional character in children's literature. He appeared on 13 October 1958 and was subsequently featured in several books, most recently in 2008, written by Michael Bond and first illustrated by Peggy Fortnum....
series and The Hobbit
The Hobbit
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, better known by its abbreviated title The Hobbit, is a fantasy novel and children's book by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published on 21 September 1937 to wide critical acclaim, being nominated for the Carnegie Medal and awarded a prize from the New York Herald...
, and his favourite children's authors are Allan Ahlberg and Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
. Chris D'Lacey has written many books like Ice Fire and Fire Star, but his most famous book was Dark Fire, the fifth book in The Last Dragon Chronicles.
Bibliography
- A Hole at the Pole (1994)
- Juggling with Jeremy (1996)
- A Break in the Chain (1998)
- Fly, Cherokee, Fly (1998)
- The Table Football League (1998)
- Henry Spaloosh! (1998)
- The Snail Patrol (1998)
- Bubble and Float (1999)
- LoftyLoftyLofty may refer to:* A lofty ideal* A nickname for a person of above average height. Also used ironically for persons of below average height....
(1999) - Riverside United (1999)
- Dexter's Journey (2000)
- From E To You (with Linda NewberyLinda NewberyLinda Newbery is a British author, who began writing as a young adult author but has now broadened her range to encompass all ages. Now a full-time writer, she published her first novel Run with the Hare in 1988, while still working as an English teacher in a comprehensive school.Linda is a regular...
) (2000) - Scupper Hargreaves, Football Genie (2000)
- The Last Dragon ChroniclesThe Last Dragon ChroniclesThe Last Dragon Chronicles is a series of seven novels by Chris d'Lacey. The books follow a college student, David Rain, as he discovers the existence of living clay dragons in the house he lodges at...
:The Fire Within (novel)The Fire Within is a 200111 children's fantasy novel written by Chris d'Lacey. It has a sequel named Icefire, which is followed by Fire Star, The Fire Eternal, Dark Fire and Fire World.-Plot summary:...
(2001) - IcefireIcefireIcefire is a 2003 children's fantasy novel by English author Chris d'Lacey. It is the sequel to his 2001 novel The Fire Within. It is followed by Fire Star, The Fire Eternal, Dark Fire and Fire World.-Plot summary:...
(2003) - Fire StarFire Star (novel)Fire Star is a 2005 novel by an English author, Chris D'Lacey. It is the sequel to his 2003 novel Icefire, and is followed by The Fire Eternal, which came out in September 2007.-Plot summary:...
(2005) - The Fire EternalThe Fire EternalThe Fire Eternal is a 2007 novel by an English author, Chris d'Lacey. It is the fourth book in his Last Dragon Chronicles. After writing The Fire Eternal, d'Lacey has written Dark Fire, Fire World, and is now working on The Fire Ascending....
(2007) - Dark FireDark Fire (The Last Dragon Chronicles)Dark Fire is the fifth book in the Last Dragon Chronicles by Chris d'Lacey. It was released on the 2nd of July 2009 in the UK and was published on May 1, 2010 for the US....
(2009) - Fire WorldFire WorldFire World is the sixth and penultimate novel in Last Dragon Chronicles series by Chris d'Lacey. In an interview with ThirstforFiction on the publication day, Chris d'Lacey stated that Fire World would be set in an alternate universe, and that all of the recurring characters from the previous...
(2011)
The Prompter
The Prompter is a 1999 Norwegian film directed by Hilde Heier. It was Norway's official Best Foreign Language Film submission at the 72nd Academy Awards, but did not manage to receive a nomination....
(2003)
Awards and nominations
- 1998 Fly, Cherokee, Fly shortlisted for the Carnegie MedalCarnegie MedalThe Carnegie Medal is a literary award established in 1936 in honour of Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and given annually to an outstanding book for children and young adults. It is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals...
- 2002 The Fire WithinThe Fire Within (novel)The Fire Within is a 200111 children's fantasy novel written by Chris d'Lacey. It has a sequel named Icefire, which is followed by Fire Star, The Fire Eternal, Dark Fire and Fire World.-Plot summary:...
won the Rotherham Children's Book Award - 2002 Honorary doctorate from the University of LeicesterUniversity of LeicesterThe University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
- 2005 Horace shortlisted for the Bolton Children's Book AwardBolton Children's Book AwardThe Bolton Children's Book Award is an annual award given to works of children's literature published in paperback during the previous year. The award is sponsored by Bolton Literacy Trust, The University of Bolton and Page Nation.-List of Prize Winners:...
- 2005 Horace shortlisted for the Hampshire Book AwardHampshire Book AwardThe Hampshire Book Award is an annual award given to works of children's literature published in paperback during the previous year. The award is run by Hampshire County Council's School Library Service.-List of prize winners:...
- 2006 IcefireIcefireIcefire is a 2003 children's fantasy novel by English author Chris d'Lacey. It is the sequel to his 2001 novel The Fire Within. It is followed by Fire Star, The Fire Eternal, Dark Fire and Fire World.-Plot summary:...
shortlisted for the Angus Book AwardAngus Book AwardThe Angus Book Award is a literary award for UK authors of teenage fiction. It is awarded by Angus Council in Scotland. The award is decided by the votes of the secondary schools in Angus. The pupils host the awards every year. The ceremony is hosted by a different school each year... - 2010 Gruffen wins the Books Factor Award.