About Jeanne

Jeanne reading with her little sister

Jeanne DuPrau has always loved reading. Here she is reading with her little sister.

I never hesitated, if I happened to finish a particularly wonderful book, to turn around and read it again, right there.— Eudora Welty

Jeanne at her desk

Jeanne spends several hours of every day at her computer, thinking up sentences. She has this quote taped to her wall:

A writer is someone for whom writing is harder than it is for other people.— Thomas Mann

This gives her courage, because she finds writing very hard. So many words to choose from! So many different things that could happen in a story at any moment! Writing is one tough decision after another.

But it's also the most satisfying thing she knows how to do. So she keeps doing it. So far, she has written five novels, six books of non-fiction, and quite a few essays and stories.

Jeanne in her garden

Jeanne DuPrau doesn't write every minute of every day. She also putters around in her garden. She lives in California, where it's easy to grow everything from apples to zinnias.

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.— Emma Goldman

Jeanne feels the same way.

Jeanne and Ethan

Jeanne DuPrau doesn't have children, but she has two nephews, a niece, and a dog. The dog lives with her. His name is Ethan. Jeanne and Ethan get along well, though their interests are different. Ethan is not very fond of reading, for example, and Jeanne doesn't much like chasing squirrels. But they agree on walks, naps, and trips in the car to surprise destinations. Ethan also likes to help in the garden.

I have just found a very nice dead mole. You should come and see it.— Ethan

Jeanne reading

She still loves reading. She hopes you do, too.

Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier.— Kathleen Norris