Picture an English storyteller who spins tales of adventure and wonder, drawing from a childhood across continents—meet Katherine Rundell! A bestselling author of children’s fiction, Rundell’s vivid narratives, like the enchanting Rooftoppers and the thrilling The Explorer, have captivated readers worldwide. With a knack for crafting strong protagonists and immersive worlds, she’s a literary star whose stories turn the world upside down, much like the cartwheels she does each morning.
As a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, Rundell balances Renaissance literature research with her multi-million-selling novels, translated into over 30 languages. Her unique blend of academic rigor and playful imagination makes her a standout voice in children’s literature, earning her accolades like the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Costa Book Award.
The Making of Katherine Rundell
Born on July 10, 1987, in Kent, England, Katherine Rundell’s early life was a tapestry of adventure. Her father’s diplomatic career took the family to Harare, Zimbabwe, where she spent a decade climbing trees and embracing a barefoot, carefree childhood. At 14, the move to Brussels brought culture shock, inspiring her debut novel, The Girl Savage, written at 21. Rundell’s love for storytelling deepened at Oxford’s St. Catherine’s College, where she discovered rooftop climbing—a passion that shaped Rooftoppers. By 2008, she was a Fellow at All Souls, studying John Donne while penning tales that echo her adventurous spirit.
Katherine Rundell’s Unforgettable Stories
Rundell’s novels are a masterclass in immersive storytelling, blending lush settings with courageous characters. Rooftoppers (2013) follows Sophie, a shipwrecked orphan, on a thrilling quest across Paris’s rooftops to find her mother, earning the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and Blue Peter Book Award. The Wolf Wilder (2015) introduces Feo, a fierce girl rewilding wolves in Tsarist Russia, showcasing Rundell’s knack for vivid historical settings. The Explorer (2017), a Costa Book Award winner, tracks four children surviving an Amazon plane crash, weaving environmental themes with heart-pounding adventure. Her fantasy epic Impossible Creatures (2023), named Waterstones Book of the Year, dives into a magical realm of mythical beasts, cementing her versatility.
Rundell’s style is lyrical yet accessible, with prose that sparkles like her beloved John Donne’s poetry. Her stories champion resilience, curiosity, and the power of imagination, often drawing from her global upbringing and love for the natural world. Whether it’s Parisian rooftops or Amazon jungles, her settings feel alive, inviting readers to explore alongside her heroes.
Why Katherine Rundell Matters
Katherine Rundell’s impact on children’s literature is profound. Her stories inspire young readers to embrace courage and wonder, while her environmental themes, like those in The Explorer, spark awareness of the natural world. Her 2022 nonfiction work, Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne, won the Baillie Gifford Prize, making her its youngest recipient and showcasing her ability to bridge academic and popular audiences. Rundell’s generous spirit shines through her donation of prize money to charities like Blue Ventures, reflecting her belief in interconnectedness, inspired by Donne’s “No man is an island.”
With millions of books sold and awards piling up, Rundell’s legacy is one of joy and inspiration. Her work reminds us that stories can be a shelter, a spark, and a call to adventure, resonating with readers of all ages across the globe.
About Katherine Rundell
- Born: July 10, 1987, Kent, England
- Key Works: Rooftoppers, The Wolf Wilder, The Explorer, Impossible Creatures
- Awards: Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, Costa Book Award, Baillie Gifford Prize
- Fun Fact: She starts each day with a cartwheel and loves rooftop climbing!
Snag Rooftoppers or Impossible Creatures and dive into Katherine Rundell’s magical, adventure-filled worlds!