John Boyne was born in Ireland in 1971. He is the author of nine novels for adults, five for young readers and a collection of short stories. Perhaps best known for his 2006 multi-award-winning book The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, John's other novels, notably The Absolutist and A History of Loneliness, have been widely praised and are international bestsellers. His most recent book is The Boy at the Top of the Mountain, which sees him returning to the setting of the Second World War.
Author's Comment: I had not read a lot of children's literature before I started writing my own but I have read recent works to understand that world better. Children's fiction is a place of incredible passion - among writers, publishers, librarians and teachers - and the standard of writing is higher than it has ever been. Children's authors don't talk down or patronise their younger readers.
