Ant Colony

Jenny Valentine is an award-winning writer for Young Adults. Her first novel Finding Violet Park won the Guardian prize in 2007 and since then she has written six more, including Broken Soup and Fire Colour One, as well as Iggy and Me, a series for younger children. Her work has been published in 19 countries and Hello Now, her latest YA novel, was published in the UK and US in April 2020. In 2017 she was the Hay Festival International Fellow, spending the year meeting and learning from teenagers all over the world. She works to empower and give a voice to young people. She lives all over the place and has two daughters.

Praise for The Ant Colony: "[Valentine] has a magical narrative voice that instantly engages, and her tale... is riveting. Valentine writes so beautifully and so convincingly that you're instantly swept in the mystery of these people's lives." Amanda Craig, The Times "[Valentine] writes with increasing assurance, and The Ant Colony has all the makings of another award-winner... Valentine's observation and language is both unexpected and refreshing," Nicolette Jones, Children's Book of the Week, Sunday Times Culture "[Bohemia] is a wonderful, three-dimensional character who woos and captivates the reader. Valentine... has produced a story that is both witty and entertaining... it is charmingly written." Daily Telegraph "This is a fine piece of slice-of-life fiction, warm but not cosy, neatly structured and credible." FT Weekend "A moving narrative of belonging, love and redemption." School Librarian "I think [Valentine] really is getting better and better with everything she writes. The Ant Colony... has a very raw emotional honesty about it that is tempered past heartbreak by a vivid imagination and wonderful sense of humour. [It's} completely gorgeous, utterly charming, funny, sweet, sad, and underneath it all, very, very real." TheBookBag.co.uk "Expertly plotted and continually gripping, it is hard to remember that this is only Jenny Valentine's third novel... an excellent and heartening read." Books for Keeps "Intriguing." Mizz "A clever and well-paced plot." The Ultimate Book Guide "Once again the author has created believable characters with integrity and skill. They come complete with flaws, hopes and fears and effectively convey a whole range of emotions." Carousel