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J. Elle

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J. Elle
OccupationWriter
LanguageEnglish
EducationBelhaven University (BFA)
GenreYoung 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.

Early life

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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

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Elle's 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

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  • A Taste of Magic. Bloomsbury. 2022. ISBN 978-1-5476-0671-9.
  • The Little Mermaid: Against the Tide. Disney Press. 2023. ISBN 9781368077224.
  • House of Marionne. Penguin Random House. 2023. ISBN 9780593527702.

Wings of Ebony duology

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References

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  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. ^ a b "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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