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Jennifer L. Holm

Three-time Newbery Honor-winning and New York Times-bestselling author of Babymouse

  • About Jennifer L. Holm

    Three-time Newbery Honor winning and New York Times bestselling Jennifer L. Holm is a beloved and well-known name in the world of children’s literature. Widely embraced by educators, librarians, and children across the country, Holm’s novels have struck a chord with all who read her heartwarming and poignant stories, many of which are based on her own life and family. A frequent guest at schools, conferences, bookstores, and libraries across the country, Holm enjoys meeting her readers, and speaking about her novels, writing, and the inspiration behind her award-winning books.

    In addition to her novels, Jenni Holm and her brother, Matthew Holm, are the creators of two graphic novel series for children, Babymouse and Squish, which have garnered much critical-attention and favorable reviews. Jenni Holm’s books have appeared on The New York Times bestseller list, been the recipients of numerous awards and starred reviews, and have sold a combined total of over 1.9 million copies in print, digital, and audio formats.

    Born in California, Holm spent much of her life in Pennsylvania, where she grew up following her four brothers and enjoying the athletic and boy friendly activities they were into. After college, Holm moved to New York, where she became a television producer before deciding to become a full-time writer. Her first novel Our Only May Amelia was the recipient of a Newbery Honor Award, and Holm was catapulted onto the children’s literature scene. She would go on to win another two Newbery Honors for her novels Penny from Heaven and Turtle in Paradise. Her recent novel, The Fourteenth Goldfish was a New York Times bestseller, and her newest book, Full of Beans, won the 2017 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction and was a New York Public Library Best Book for Kids.

    Holm currently resides back in California, where she lives with her husband and two children.

  • Speaking Topics

    Get Graphic

    Kid-friendly comics are making a huge comeback in libraries and schools. Jennifer will discuss how she and her brother, Matt, create their critically-acclaimed graphic novel series Babymouse, and their new pond scum-green series, Squish –and how COMICS can inspire kids to read.

    A Cupcake Party with Babymouse

    This event is perfect for public libraries! Jenni Holm will talk about how she created her beloved character Babymouse with her brother Matthew. There will be a powerpoint presentation and drawings for the audience. The library can have activities like "Make Your Own Babymouse Paper Crown", "Pin the Paper Whisker on Babymouse" and serve cupcakes. In addition, the walk-around Babymouse costume is available for use.

    It Takes a Family

    Jennifer will discuss how her family's interesting and varied history inspired her three Newbery Honor-winning books — Our Only May Amelia, Penny From Heaven, and Turtle in Paradise.

    Take Notes

    Inspiration can come from the most unlikely of places— from an old note passed in class to finding a scorpion in a shoe. Jennifer will discuss how various unusual items have inspired her award-winning novels.

  • Video

  • Praise for Jennifer L. Holm

    Jennifer L. Holm was warm, engaging and genuine. She connected well with the audience, and the presentation was very interactive. Adults and children alike were attentive and enthralled.

    Huntsville Madison County Public Library

    Jenni charmed her audiences. Parents and children were thrilled with the special attention she gave everyone.  She made conversation with all of the children and made them feel recognized and important.  And she’s the consummate professional, with a high energy, interactive presentation.

    Cuyahoga County Public Library

    Jenni is a dream to work with–she is so friendly and funny, and the kids loved her–she made her presentation very interactive for them, and everyone in the audience was pleased that they attended.

    St. Joseph County Public Library

    Jennifer and Matthew Holm were so much fun! They captivated and engaged the audience at their joint presentation, with the kids shouting out responses We (Dallas collectively) fell in love with them.

    Dallas Museum of Art

    Praise for Full of Beans

    "...a terrifically fun dollop of historical fiction for readers ages 8-12."

    The Wall Street Journal

    Holm impressively wraps pathos with comedy.

    Booklist

    Sweet, funny and superb.

    Kirkus, Starred Review

    Anyone interested in learning to write crowd-pleasing historical fiction for elementary school readers would be wise to study Holm’s work.

    Publishers Weekly, starred review

    Praise for Comics Squad: Recess!

    The orange two-color artwork lets the artists’ distinctive styles shine; readers can only hope more such collaborations are on the way.

    Publishers Weekly

    Praise for The Fourteenth Goldfish

    If ever a new series deserved to go viral, this one does.

    Kirkus, (starred review)

    Written in a clean, crisp style, with lively dialogue and wit, this highly accessible novel will find a ready audience.

    Booklist (starred review)

    This is top-notch middle-grade fiction with a meaty dilemma, humor, and an ending that leaves room for the possibility of a sequel.

    Publishers Weekly (starred review)

    Praise for Babymouse #3: Beach Babe

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #16: Babymouse for President

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #17: Extreme Babymouse

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #15: A Very Babymouse Christmas

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #14: Mad Scientist

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #1: Queen of the World!

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #8: Puppy Love

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #5: Heartbreaker

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #13: Cupcake Tycoon

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #9: Monster Mash

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #2: Our Hero

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #4: Rock Star

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #7: Skater Girl

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #11: Dragonslayer

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #10: The Musical

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #6: Camp Babymouse

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin

    Praise for Babymouse #12: Burns Rubber

    Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans.

    Booklist

    An almost absurdly likeable heroine.

    The Bulletin
  • Books by Jennifer L. Holm

  • Media About Jennifer L. Holm

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  • 212 572-2013
  • Jennifer L. Holm travels from Foster City, CA

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