Sally Gardner is a British writer and illustrator, primarily recognized for her contributions to children's literature. She has also penned adult novels under the pen name Wray Delaney. Gardner's early life was marked by her parents' separation and her own struggles with severe dyslexia, which significantly impacted her ability to read until her teenage years. Despite these challenges, her creative talents were recognized, leading her to pursue art and drama before transitioning into illustration and writing.

Her literary career began with illustrated children's books, but her first full-length novel, "I, Coriander," achieved significant recognition, winning the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize. Gardner's work often incorporates historical settings and elements of fantasy. Books like "The Red Necklace" and "The Silver Blade" are set during the French Revolution, while "The Double Shadow" is described as historical fantasy, and "Tinder" is a historical novel. Her novel "Maggot Moon," an alternate history set in a dystopian 1950s England, earned her the prestigious Carnegie Medal and the Costa Book Award for Children's Book.

Born to two lawyers, Sally Gardner's childhood in Birmingham was shaped by her parents' divorce when she was five. Her mother, Nina Lowry, later served as a barrister and judge. Gardner experienced significant bullying at school, exacerbated by undiagnosed dyslexia, which she was formally diagnosed with at age twelve. This condition meant she did not learn to read until she was fourteen, with "Wuthering Heights" being the first book she completed. Her artistic inclinations were evident early on, leading her to study art and drama. Before dedicating herself to writing and illustration, she worked as a theatre set designer. Gardner has spoken about developing a shopping addiction, which she attributes to medication for restless legs syndrome. She currently resides in London and has been an ambassador for the audiobook charity Listening Books since 2019.

Gardner's writing career commenced in 1993 with "The Little Nut Tree," a children's picture book she also illustrated. Her first full-length novel, "I, Coriander" (2005), set in Cromwellian London, marked a significant breakthrough, winning the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize. Her works frequently explore historical periods, infusing them with fantastical or speculative elements. "The Red Necklace" and its sequel "The Silver Blade" are historical fantasies set during the French Revolution, featuring characters with magical abilities. "The Double Shadow" is also categorized as historical fantasy, while "Tinder" is a historical novel situated during the Thirty Years' War. "Maggot Moon" (2012), a recipient of the Carnegie Medal and Costa Book Award, presents an alternate history of 1950s England under an oppressive regime, drawing inspiration from conspiracy theories and "what if" scenarios. In 2016, she ventured into adult fiction with "An Almond for a Parrot" under the pseudonym Wray Delaney.