Debbie Dadey, Marcia Thornton Jones

Marcia Thornton Jones is an American author born in 1958, primarily known for her extensive work in children's literature. She has authored or co-authored over 135 elementary chapter books, picture books, and mid-grade novels. Before dedicating herself full-time to writing in 1990, Jones gained experience as an elementary school teacher, working with first and third graders, as well as in computer lab, writing, reading, and Gifted & Talented programs. Her diverse writing career includes collaborations with Debbie Dadey, most famously on The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series, which comprises 65 titles, as well as other series like Keyholders and Ghostville Elementary. Her books have been published by prominent houses such as Scholastic, Tor, and Penguin Group. Jones resides in Lexington, Kentucky.

Marcia Thornton Jones has established a prolific career as a children's author, with her bibliography exceeding 135 individual titles. A significant portion of her work has been developed in collaboration with fellow author Debbie Dadey. Together, they are widely recognized for creating The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series, a substantial collection that alone features 65 titles. Their partnership also extends to other popular series aimed at young readers, including the Bailey School Kids Junior series, Bailey City Monsters, Ghostville Elementary, and Barkley's School for Dogs. Jones has also contributed to the Keyholders series and the Triplet Trouble books with Dadey. This extensive body of collaborative work highlights her ability to craft engaging narratives for a young audience across multiple series and formats.

In addition to her numerous co-authored books, Marcia Thornton Jones has also published works as a sole writer. These solo efforts include the young reader chapter book Godzilla Ate My Homework, the children's novel Champ, and picture books such as The Tale of Jack Frost and Leprechaun on the Loose. Her novel Ratfink was also published as a solo project. Jones's writing has been recognized and published by a variety of respected imprints within the children's book industry. Her works have appeared under publishers like Scholastic, Tor Books, Dutton (part of Penguin Group), Hyperion Press (owned by Disney), and F&W. This broad publishing reach indicates the consistent demand and appeal of her contributions to children's literature.