Joy Cowley

Children's Author

Birthday August 7, 1936

Birth Sign Leo

Birthplace Levin, New Zealand

Age 87 years old

#107547 Most Popular

About

A children's author, novelist and short story writer, she is best known for such works of children's literature as The Silent One (1981) and Bow Down Shadrach (1991). Her novels for adults, including Man of Straw (1972) and The Growing Season (1979), typically focus on family struggles.

Before Fame

Her birth name was Cassia Joy Summers, and she was born in Levin, New Zealand. She received an honorary doctorate from Massey University.

Trivia

She published five hundred reading instruction books and was actively involved in teaching reading skills to children and the learning disabled.

Family Life

She was married three times-- to Ted Cowley, Malcolm Mason, and Terry Coles-- and had two sons and two daughters.

Associated With

Her first novel, Nest in a Fallen Tree, was made into a 1971 film with a screenplay by the renowned children's author, Roald Dahl.