Marcia Thornton Jones, Debbie Dadey

Marcia Thornton Jones, born July 15, 1958, is an American author specializing in children's literature. She has authored or co-authored over 135 elementary chapter books, picture books, and mid-grade novels. Her extensive bibliography includes the well-known "The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids" series, which she developed in collaboration with Debbie Dadey.

Before dedicating herself to writing full-time in 1990, Jones worked as an elementary school teacher, instructing first and third grades and teaching subjects like computer lab, writing, reading, and gifted and talented programs. Her works have been published by prominent houses such as Scholastic, Tor, Dutton, Hyperion Press, and F&W. Jones resides in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband, Stephen. Her literary output spans various genres within children's fiction and nonfiction.

Marcia Thornton Jones has established a significant career as a children's book author, with a prolific output of over 135 titles. A substantial portion of her work has been developed in partnership with fellow author Debbie Dadey. This collaboration has resulted in numerous popular series for young readers, most notably "The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids," which alone comprises 65 titles. Other joint series include "The Bailey School Kids Junior Series," "Bailey City Monsters," "Ghostville Elementary," "Triplet Trouble," and "Barkley's School for Dogs." Jones's individual contributions also include chapter books, picture books, and novels, such as "Godzilla Ate My Homework" and "Ratfink."

Born in Joliet, Illinois, Marcia Thornton Jones transitioned to a full-time writing career in 1990 after gaining valuable experience as an elementary school educator. Her teaching background included roles in first and third grades, as well as specialized instruction in computer lab, writing, reading, and programs for gifted and talented students. This diverse pedagogical experience likely informs her approach to writing for young audiences. Her books are distributed through major publishing imprints including Scholastic, Tor, Dutton (part of Penguin Group), Hyperion Press (an imprint of Disney), and F&W.