Jacqueline West is the author of the award-winning middle grade series The Books of Elsewhere. The Books of Elsewhere, Volume One: The Shadows (2010) garnered starred reviews, state award nominations, and a spot on the New York Times Bestsellers List.
Her first YA novel, Dreamers Often Lie (2016), is a dark and twisty romance that braids Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night's Dream into a modern-day teen's life.
Jacqueline's poetry has appeared in a variety of print and online publications and has garnered several awards, including a Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg prize and two Pushcart nominations. Cherma, her series of poems about Wisconsin’s Bohemian immigrants, is published by the University of Wisconsin’s Parallel Press chapbook series.
Learn more and read interviews in Jacqueline’s bio or read her answers to frequently asked questions.
Jacqueline's poetry collection, "Candle and Pins: Poems on Superstitions" is now available for purchase from Alban Lake Publishing!
Jacqueline's next middle grade novel, THE COLLECTORS, is coming from Greenwillow/HarperCollins in fall 2018! Read the Publishers Weekly announcement.
A middle grade mystery, written by Jacqueline in collaboration with The Story Pirates (storypirates.org) and published by Rodale Kids, will be released in Fall 2018!
After a head injury, a high school actress is haunted by visions of William Shakespeare and his characters. But when one of those visions turns out to be real, she has to choose between lying to everyone else and lying to herself.
"Both moving and humorous... Shakespeare's characters really shine as they come to life in the twenty-first century."
- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Danger and mystery are around every corner as Olive encounters evil magic, talking cats, and a small boy trapped inside a painted world.
☆ "A suspenseful plot and insight into childhood loneliness - handily amplified by b&w illustrations - will have readers anxiously awaiting the next book."
-Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Jacqueline loves to meet with readers and writers of all ages. Her background in teaching makes her an approachable and enthusiastic speaker and writing workshop leader. See her current schedule of speaking events.
If you are interested in having Jacqueline visit your school, library, bookstore, or other organization, contact her at jacqueline@jacquelinewest.com for rates and availability.
