Hilary McKay is a critically-acclaimed author who has won many awards, including the Costa Children’s Book Award 2018 for The Skylarks’ War, the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize for her first novel, The Exiles, and the Whitbread (now the Costa) Award for Saffy’s Angel.
The Exiles are inspired by Hilary’s own childhood growing-up as one of four sisters, and the second book in the trilogy, The Exiles at Home, was the winner of the Smarties Prize.
Hilary studied Botany and Zoology at the University of St Andrews, and worked as a biochemist before the draw of the pen became too strong and she decided to become a full-time writer. She lives in Derbyshire with her family.