Jane Mitchell attended Loreto College, St Stephen’s Green, all the way up from fourth class until her Leaving Certificate in 1983. English and Art were Jane’s favourite subjects throughout her schooling, so it is hardly any great surprise that she went on to write and illustrate books for children and young people.
While studying Education in Trinity and Froebel College of Education, she wrote and illustrated An Loch Draíochta. Based on a traditional Irish folktale, this hand-bound and illustrated book won an excellence award from Bord na Gaeilge for the development of Irish language teaching materials. It was subsequently published by An Gúm.
Jane’s first published book, When Stars Stop Spinning,won the Bisto Book of the Year Award and was runner-up in the Reading Association of Ireland Children’s Book Awards. About young people with disabilities, it was translated into German and Danish, and has featured a number of times on the Leaving Certificate English examination. Other books and short stories followed, including Olivia’s Collection and Different Lives.
Jane’s most recent publication is Chalkline, an uncompromising book for young adults about child soldiers. Set in Kashmir, it is endorsed by Amnesty International as contributing to a better understanding of human rights and the values that underpin them. Published in 2009, negotiations are currently underway with a number of European publishing houses for translation rights.
In addition to writing, Jane works full-time as a Project Manager and has found time to complete two Masters Degrees and postgraduate studies in Statistics. She is currently working on a new book. More information about her writing and about Jane herself can be found on her website: www.janemitchell.ie
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