Jonathan Stroud biography

Jonathan Stroud was born in Bedford and grew up in St Albans. He always had a burning desire to write a full-length work of fiction which he would have wanted to read when he was younger, and so after graduating from York University he embarked on a publishing and writing career in the game book and non-fiction department at Walker Books. He moved to Kingfisher Publications to edit children's non-fiction, and for a time juggled working with writing; but Jonathan is now a full-time writer.

In May 1999, Jonathan burst onto the children’s book scene with his first novel, Buried Fire. This powerful and compelling read combines elements of fantasy and mythology in a contemporary setting. It is a pacey story that shows how the dark past lives on and can still have a vice-like hold on the present.

Jonathan’s second fantasy adventure The Leap was published in January 2001 as part of the new Definitions list.. The Leap portrays the devastation of grief and the temptations and dangers of a world within a world as Charlie is devastated by the tragic accident up at the disused Mill Pool involving her best friend, Max. Refusing to believe Max is dead she embarks on an emotional journey in her dreams. Soon her dream world becomes more important to her than anything else until this fantasy and real life begin to merge and give rise to strange events in the everyday world.

The Last Siege was published in February 2003. A chance encounter on the snowy slopes of a castle moat throws together three lonely teenagers; Emily, Simon and the highly imaginative but enigmatic Marcus, who is the catalyst for all that follows. At first the ruin is merely the backdrop to a day in the snow. But when the three break in to the forbidden interior of the keep, they find the castle taking on a different and deeper meaning.

The Amulet of Samarkand, the first part of the Bartimaeus trilogy was published in October 2003. This rich and wickedly witty opener introduced the thoroughly irresistible genii, Bartimaeus, and his arrogant young master Nathaniel. Skilfully inventive in plot and structure and vividly atmospheric, this magical epic is Stroud at his best and it has been very warmly received since its publication.

The long awaited sequel, The Golem’s Eye, published in October 2004 saw the reluctant duo pair up again, this time with anti-hero Nathaniel working in Internal Affairs in the Government. The Resistance movement is gaining ground and poised to strike at the heart of the Government, and Bartimaeus, the witty and idiosyncratic djinn is back to unravel the mystery. The story mixes political intrigue and mystery to deliver a brilliant sequel to The Amulet of Samarkand.

The trilogy is completed with Ptolemy’s Gate, published in paperback in October 2006. The magicians' rule in London is teetering on a knife-edge, with strikes, riots and general unrest. Can Bartimaeus, Nathaniel and Kitty settle old scores if they are to survive and prevent the earth's destruction?

Ptolemy’s Gate has been long listed for The Carnegie Medal.

Jonathan Stroud books

• Justin Credible’s Word Play World (1994)
• The Viking Saga of Harri Bristlebeard (1997)
• The Hare and the Tortoise (1998)
• Walking through the Jungle (1998)
• The Little Red Car (1999)
• Alfie’s Big Adventure (1999)
• Buried Fire (1999)
• Little Spike and Long Tail (2000)
• Golidilocks and the Three Bears (2000)
• Sightseers: Ancient Rome (2000)
• The Leap (2001)
• The Last Siege (2003)
• The Amulet of Samarkand (2003)
• The Golem's Eye (2004)
• The Lost Treasure of Captain Blood (2006)
• Ptolemy's Gate (2006)
• Heroes of the Valley (2008)

Jonathan Stroud critical acclaim

THE GOLEM’S EYE

‘Another sophisticated, sardonic satire . . . It is a fast-paced, frightening and funny and you don't want it to end’
The Bookseller

‘The alternating perspective between the three central characters add depth, detail and humour to the action-packed thrills.’
The Times

‘A vast plum pudding of a novel that improves with each mouthful.’
The Independent

‘Fresh, downbeat, witty and wise, this novel is a worthy sequel to The Amulet of Samarkand.’
TES

THE AMULET OF SAMARKAND

‘One of the year’s most inventive and ingenious novels’
The Sunday Times

‘Stroud’s fast-paced plot is matched by his witty turns of phrase and excellent metaphors’
Financial Times

‘This is a hilarious read with a stroppy young wizard whose daemon, Bartimaeus, is funny, cynical and totally out for himself.’
The Observer

‘The Amulet of Samarkand offers 484 pages of drama, humour and hypnotically engaging storytelling’
The Independent

‘What a delight is The Amulet of Samarkand. . . A tonic for anyone aged 12 and up’
TES

THE LAST SIEGE

‘This is packed with suspense and palpable tension. This compeling thriller is impossible to put down.’
The Bookseller

‘Stroud’s novel will engage teenage readers; his characters are convincingly written and the fascination of the castle is strongly conveyed.’
School Librarian

THE LEAP

‘makes uncomfortable, compelling reading.’
Guardian Education

‘Atmospheric and intriguing, this is about making choices, knowing when to hang on and when to let go…the quality of writing never flags.’
Daily Telegraph

BURIED FIRE

‘Jonathan Stroud writes like a seasoned veteran with a voice all his own, and tells a cracking story that races to a strong climax’
The Telegraph

‘A gripping tale and an efficacious way to make a parent’s dream of seeing their teenage boy with his head in a book and not in front of the box stand a chance of coming true’
The Observer

Latest news: Jonathan Stroud

Harriet Wilson joins HarperCollins Children's Books
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News round-up: The search for the next JK Rowling continues…
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Audio Book Review: The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud, read by Steven Pacey
Rating 9.0/10 Pacey’s portrayal of the irascible djinni is perfect. I had not come across the name of Steven Pacey before. He has now been added to my list of favourite voice actors, alongside Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Derek Jacobi, Simon Prebble and Roy Dotrice. Pacey narrates Jonathan [...]

Jonathan Stroud to write prequel to Bartimaeus Trilogy
There was fantastic news today with the announcement that Jonathan Stroud will write a prequel to his wonderful Bartimaeus Trilogy. The new and fourth Bartimaeus book will follow Bartimaeus’s adventures during his 5,000 year career as a djinni. Bartimaeus took the publishing world by storm when th [...]

My Sister Jodie wins 2009 Bookseller BookVideo Award
Jonathan Stroud’s Heroes of the Valley book video, directed by Leevi Lemmetty, was narrowly pipped to the 2009 Bookseller BookVideo Awards 2009.  Anna Lavelle's video for Jacqueline Wilson' My Sister Jodie won the award, which was held in conjunction with Play.com. Random House, the NFTS and [...]

Jonathan Stroud to visit Earl High School in Halesowen
Best selling fantasy author Jonathan Stroud will talk about his new book Heroes of the Valley at Earls High School in Halesowen. The talk will be at the school in Furnace Lane on Monday February 9 at 7pm as part of Dudley Children's Book Group. Entrance is free. Tickets are available in advance from [...]

Book Video Awards 2009
One of the winning entries for last year’s Book Video Awards is to be broadcast on BBC London tonight in time for this evening’s Costa Book of the Year Announcement. The book video for Sadie Jones’ Costa-shortlisted The Outcast was Felix Wiedermann’s winning entry to the awards. It will be shown on [...]

Jonathan Stroud visits school in Lancashire
More than 100 school children from across Lancashire flocked to Kirkham this week to meet highly acclaimed children's fantasy author Jonathan Stroud [link to biography]. Stroud visited Carr Hill High School and Sixth Form Centre to talk to pupils from a number of local schools as part of a UK tour [...]

Jonathan Stroud visits local college
Harpenden resident Jonathan Stroud has this month published his first new book in more than two years. Heroes of the Valley (see review excerpt below) is a story which has been told to the students at Loreto College in Hatfield Road. "It has been quite a long time since I have enjoyed a book this mu [...]

Kathryn Hughes of The Guardian left stunned by Stroud
Kathryn Hughes writes for the Guardian and has recently reviewed Jonathan Stroud's wonderful Heroes of the Valley. She was glowing in her praise for his latest work: "Children's fiction of the past 30 years has been laced with sub-Tolkienian whimsy - all those quest narratives set in northern Europ [...]