Picture an American storyteller who weaves magic and mystery into every page—meet Heather Kassner! Living in Arizona, where she chases thunderstorms and photographs hummingbirds, Kassner crafts enchanting children’s fiction that blends the eerie charm of Grimm’s fairy tales with heartfelt adventure. Her novels, like The Bone Garden and The Forest of Stars, have captivated readers with their haunting yet hopeful tales.
With a knack for creating worlds where imagination dances with darkness, Kassner has become a rising star in middle-grade fantasy. Her stories resonate with young readers and adults alike, offering a spellbinding escape into realms where magic feels just a heartbeat away. Let’s dive into her journey and discover why her work sparkles like a moonlit night.
The Making of Heather Kassner
Heather Kassner’s love for storytelling bloomed in childhood, nurtured by her grandmother, a school librarian who introduced her to the haunting magic of Grimm’s fairy tales. Growing up, she was captivated by the blend of wonder and darkness in these stories, a spark that would later ignite her own writing. Now residing in Arizona with her husband and two sleepy cats, Kassner’s life is a tapestry of books, music, and the desert’s quiet wildness.
Before becoming a published author, Kassner earned a Master’s in Organizational Management and worked in higher education for fifteen years, most recently as a Campus Chair and faculty member. Her transition to writing was fueled by a lifelong passion for crafting strange, magical stories, with her debut novel, The Bone Garden, marking her bold entry into children’s literature in 2019.
Heather Kassner’s Unforgettable Stories
Kassner’s novels are a delightful mix of gothic charm, magical realism, and emotional depth. Her debut, The Bone Garden, follows Irréelle, a girl made of dust and bone, as she unravels the secrets of her creation in a haunting graveyard. Critics have compared its eerie atmosphere to Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book, praising its blend of spooky and heartfelt.
Her second novel, The Forest of Stars, transports readers to a shadowy carnival where twelve-year-old Louisa LaRoche, who can float among the stars, searches for her lost father. With vivid imagery and themes of resilience, this book dazzles with its magical setting and deep friendships. The Plentiful Darkness, her third work, follows Rooney de Barra, an orphan chasing a thief into a starless, moonless realm, weaving a tale of courage and mystery. Kassner’s upcoming young adult debut, Spellwright, set for release in 2026, promises to expand her magical universe.
Kassner’s writing style is poetic yet accessible, with a knack for crafting characters who shine through their vulnerabilities. Her stories often explore themes of belonging, self-discovery, and the power of imagination, making them perfect for readers who crave adventure with a touch of the macabre.
Why Heather Kassner Matters
Heather Kassner’s impact lies in her ability to craft stories that resonate across ages. Her middle-grade novels offer young readers a safe space to explore complex emotions like grief and identity, wrapped in fantastical worlds that spark wonder. By blending dark fairy-tale elements with hope, she bridges classic and contemporary children’s fiction, earning praise from authors like Ingrid Law and Stefan Bachmann.
Her work also inspires aspiring writers, as Kassner encourages capturing fleeting ideas on paper—a habit that fueled her own creative journey. As she continues to write, her stories promise to leave a lasting mark on the genre, inviting readers to embrace both the strange and the beautiful in life.
- Key Works: The Bone Garden (2019), The Forest of Stars (2020), The Plentiful Darkness (2021), Spellwright (2026)
- Hobbies: Photographing hummingbirds, chasing thunderstorms, reading
- Award: The Bone Garden named a Junior Library Guild Selection
Dive into The Bone Garden or The Forest of Stars and let Heather Kassner’s magical storytelling sweep you away into a world of wonder and mystery!