J. Elle

Last updated
J. Elle
OccupationWriter
LanguageEnglish
Education Belhaven University (BFA)
Genre Young Adult Fiction, Middle Grade
Notable worksWings of Ebony duology (2020–2022)
The Little Mermaid: Against the Tide (2023)

J. Elle is an author of children's and young adult fiction.

Contents

Early life

Elle grew up in Third Ward neighborhood of Houston. [1] She has worked as a preschool, middle school, and high school educator. Elle is Black. [2]

Writing career

Her young adult fantasy novel Wings of Ebony (2020), the first book in a duology of the same name, was a New York Times bestseller. [3] [4] The Third Ward neighborhood where she grew up was the model for the East Row neighborhood in the book. [2] Wings of Ebony was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for outstanding literary work for youth/teens in 2022. [5] [6] Daniel Jose Older reviewed the book on National Public Radio. [7] It was the 2022 First Novelist honor book of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. [8] Kirkus Reviews wrote, "debut author Elle’s characters shine with determination and heart". [9] Publishers Weekly wrote that it was a "poignant debut" and that "Elle relentlessly highlights the ancestral trauma of genocide, colonialism, and institutional racism that Black people endure to this day". [10] School Library Journal wrote that it was a "high-stakes debut" and "#BlackGirlMagic at its most earnest, teaching readers that strength is nothing to apologize for". [11]

Ashes of Gold (2022), the second book in the Wings of Ebony duology, received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, which wrote, "Elle’s thrilling conclusion to the Wings of Ebony duology delivers a hefty punch". [12]

Elle's A Taste of Magic (2022) was called a "fast-paced, heartfelt story deliciously blends realism with the whimsy of the mystical" by Kirkus Reviews. [13] Elle has said that her grandmother was an inspiration for the book. [14] Publishers Weekly called it a "whimsical culinary fantasy" and praised Elle for "a story of familial love and friendship and tops it with pure culinary enthusiasm". [15] Booklist referred to it as a "warm food- and family-centered story". [16]

In 2023, Elle's novelization of Disney's live-action version of The Little Mermaid (2023) was published. [17] [18]

Works

Wings of Ebony duology

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References

  1. ↑ Oliveros, Beatriz (2022-09-06). "Houston author J. Elle shares family recipe from her new book 'A Taste of Magic'". KPRC. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  2. 1 2 "In Conversation: J.Elle and Denene Millner". Publishers Weekly. 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  3. ↑ "Young Adult Hardcover Books – Best Sellers – Books – Feb. 21, 2021 –". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  4. ↑ "Young Adult Hardcover Books – Best Sellers – Books – Feb. 14, 2021". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  5. ↑ Inman, DeMicia (2022-02-28). "Jennifer Hudson, Will Smith, And Issa Rae Win Big At NAACP Image Awards 2022". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  6. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (2022-02-23). "NAACP Image Awards: 'Insecure,' 'Judas and the Black Messiah' Among Winners From Night Two of Non-Televised Ceremonies". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  7. ↑ Older, Daniel Jose (2021-08-22). "These 3 YA Novels Will Transform Your Summer Into Something Fantastic". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  8. ↑ Staff, S. L. J. "BCALA and SLJ Announce 2022 Youth Literary Award Winners". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  9. ↑ "Wings of Ebony". Kirkus Reviews. 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  10. ↑ "Wings of Ebony". Publishers Weekly. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  11. ↑ "Wings of Ebony". School Library Journal. 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  12. ↑ "Ashes of Gold". Kirkus Reviews. 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  13. ↑ "A Taste of Magic". Kirkus Reviews. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  14. ↑ Dansby, Andrew (2022-10-24). "Houston author J. Elle pivots to younger readers with a new tale of magic". Preview: Houston Arts & Entertainment Guide. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  15. ↑ "A Taste of Magic". Publishers Weekly. 2022-06-30. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  16. ↑ Ballenger, Kit. "A Taste of Magic." Booklist . Vol. 118, no. 21. 2022-07-01. P. 79. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023. Via Gale Literature Resource Center.(subscription required)
  17. ↑ Dodson, P. Claire (2023-02-01). "Before Halle Bailey's Little Mermaid, Read the New Novel Inspired by the Film". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  18. ↑ Dansby, Andrew (2023-02-02). "Houston author J. Elle's new book 'Against the Tide' inspired by Little Mermaid remake". Preview | Houston Arts & Entertainment Guide. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
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