Nancy Farmer

Nancy Farmer, born in 1941, is an American author recognized for her children's and young adult science fiction novels. She has received significant acclaim, including three Newbery Honors and the U.S. National Book Award for Young People's Literature for "The House of the Scorpion." Her early life included studies in chemistry and entomology, and service in the Peace Corps. She later lived and worked in Mozambique and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where she conducted research on biological pest control, specifically the tsetse fly. These experiences in Africa profoundly shaped her literary career, which she began in her early forties while still residing in Zimbabwe. Her initial writings in Africa led to winning the Writers of the Future contest, enabling her to pursue writing full-time in the United States. As of 2010, she resides in Arizona with her husband, whom she met in Rhodesia.

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Nancy Farmer pursued higher education at Reed College, earning a B.A. in 1963. She furthered her scientific studies in chemistry and entomology at the University of California, Berkeley. Her life took a significant turn when she joined the Peace Corps from 1963 to 1965. Following this, she spent time in Mozambique and what was then Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). During her years in Rhodesia, from 1975 to 1978, she focused on scientific research, specifically investigating biological methods for controlling the tsetse fly. This period of her life, marked by her immersion in African environments and scientific pursuits, became a crucial wellspring for her later literary works.

Farmer's writing career officially commenced in the 1980s, around the age of 40, while she was still living in Zimbabwe. Her initial stories were inspired by her experiences and observations in Africa. One of these early African-set stories earned her the prestigious Writers of the Future contest award. This recognition provided the impetus and means for her to relocate back to the United States and dedicate herself to writing on a full-time basis. The unique cultural landscapes, scientific challenges, and the broader African milieu she encountered directly informed and enriched the narratives she would go on to create, establishing a distinct voice in young adult literature.