Picture a New York storyteller who spins tales of teenage turmoil and mystery with a feminist edge—meet E. Lockhart! Born Emily Jenkins in 1967, she’s the mastermind behind the bestselling We Were Liars and the quirky Ruby Oliver series, captivating young adult readers with her sharp wit and emotional depth.
Under her pen name E. Lockhart, Jenkins crafts stories that resonate with teens and adults alike, blending humor, heartbreak, and social commentary. From her New York City home, she’s built a literary legacy that’s both playful and profound, earning accolades like the Goodreads Choice Award.
The Making of E. Lockhart
Born in New York City, Emily Jenkins grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Seattle, Washington, soaking up stories from her playwright father and preschool-teacher mother. Her dad’s readings of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Shakespeare sparked her imagination, while summer drama camps at Northwestern and Minneapolis’ Children’s Theatre Company honed her creative flair. Jenkins studied at Vassar College, diving into illustrated books, and earned a doctorate in 19th-century English literature from Columbia University, fueling her love for narrative craft.
Her writing journey began early—she penned two novels in third grade! By 2005, she debuted as E. Lockhart with The Boyfriend List, adopting her maternal grandmother’s maiden name for her young adult works. This leap into YA fiction marked the start of a career that would redefine the genre with its bold, relatable heroines.
E. Lockhart’s Unforgettable Stories
Lockhart’s bibliography is a treasure trove of YA gems. The Ruby Oliver quartet—The Boyfriend List (2005), The Boy Book (2006), The Treasure Map of Boys (2009), and Real Live Boyfriends (2010)—follows Ruby, a witty teen navigating love and panic attacks with humor and heart. These books charm with their quirky chapter titles and empathetic storytelling.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (2008) is a feminist triumph, earning a National Book Award finalist nod and a Michael L. Printz Honor. It follows Frankie, a clever teen challenging her elite boarding school’s patriarchal traditions with audacious pranks. Then there’s We Were Liars (2014), a haunting mystery about privilege and tragedy on a private island, which became a #1 New York Times bestseller and inspired a 2025 Prime Video series.
Lockhart’s style is distinctive: think sharp dialogue, nonlinear narratives, and themes of identity, class, and feminism. Her characters, like Cadence in We Were Liars, grapple with raw emotions and societal pressures, making her stories both thrilling and thought-provoking. As Emily Jenkins, she also writes children’s books like Toys Go Out, showcasing her versatility.
Why E. Lockhart Matters
E. Lockhart has left an indelible mark on young adult literature by giving voice to complex, fierce heroines who challenge norms and embrace their flaws. Her feminist lens and knack for blending humor with heavy themes have inspired countless readers and writers. Awards like the Cybils and Goodreads Choice reflect her critical and cultural impact, while her teaching at Hamline University’s MFA program nurtures new talent.
Lockhart’s ability to weave classic literature—like King Lear and Wuthering Heights—into modern tales adds depth, making her work a bridge between past and present. Her stories resonate globally, tackling universal struggles with a fresh, accessible voice.
- Born: September 13, 1967, New York City
- Key Works: We Were Liars, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, Ruby Oliver series
- Awards: Goodreads Choice Award, Cybils Award, Michael L. Printz Honor
- Fun Fact: She’s a Haunted Mansion ride enthusiast!
Snag We Were Liars or the Ruby Oliver series and dive into E. Lockhart’s world of witty, heartfelt YA fiction!