Children's & Young Adult Literature
Jane's experiences as a parent, teacher, and park naturalist have inspired her writing for youth, which first appeared in the awesome SPIDER magazine. She has visited hundreds of classrooms and has been a children's book reviewer and blogger. Jane has conducted workshops for adults writing for children, and she now shares her expertise at Washington & Lee University, where she teaches courses in children's literature and creative writing. Jane is a longtime member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), the Children's Book Guild of Washington DC, and the Author's Guild.
Lucy's Completely Cool and Totally True E-Journal (Scholastic 2001) was a bestseller in Scholastic Book Fairs, in their TOP FIVE in 2002. More than 150,000 copies were sold. (So you can still find oodles of these books in online marketplaces for low-low prices!) Published in paperback.
Four Things My Geeky-Jock-of-a-Best-Friend Must Do In Europe (Darby Creek/Lerner 2006; Scholastic 2006) was a Junior Library Guild Selection, and reviewers called it "a laugh-out-loud read" (School Library Journal) and "a perfect choice for a girls-only book club" (Children's Literature). Goodreads reviewers compared the style to Louise Rennison, one saying it "had a laugh on every page." Published in hardcover, paperback and ebook.
My Best Friend, the Atlantic Ocean, and Other Great Bodies Standing Between Me and My Life With Giulio (Darby Creek/Lerner 2008) was also a Junior Library Guild Selection. Reviewers at Goodreads called it "light-hearted, hilarious," said "there were moments throughout the book where I laughed out loud" and that "clever word play and witty conversation abound in this sequel to Four Things...." "Harrington is spot on when it comes to the highs and lows of high school crushes," Washington Parent said in their review. Published in hardcover and ebook.
EXTREME PETS! (Scholastic 2007) was a 2008 American Library Association YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, a 2008 Children's Choices selection with the International Reading Association and Children's Book Council, a Washington Post KidsPost "Book of the Week," a feature in Disney Adventures magazine, and it appeared on recommended reading lists in libraries throughout the country. Published in hardcover and audiobook versions.