About Me

Anne Blankman

Anne Blankman has loved writing stories for as long as she can remember. She grew up in Niskayuna, New York, a small town near Albany. When she wasn't writing or reading, she was rowing on the crew team, taking ballet lessons, fencing and swimming. She graduated from Union College with degrees in English and history. After earning a master's degree in information science, Anne began working as a youth services librarian.

Anne’s debut novel, Prisoner of Night and Fog (HarperCollins, 2014), was named a "Flying Start" by Publishers Weekly and a Sydney Taylor Notable Book by the Association of Jewish Libraries. The sequel, Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke (HarperCollins, 2015), was a National Jewish Book Award Finalist and a VOYA “Perfect Ten.” Her third novel, a YA romantic historical adventure titled Traitor Angels (HarperCollins, 2016), was a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year. Anne’s books have received starred reviews from School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, School Library Connection, and Kirkus. Her historical middle grade novel, The Blackbird Girls (Penguin, 2020), tells of a Jewish girl and her bully who try to survive the Chernobyl nuclear disaster by journeying to safety together and find what they have always wanted: a best friend. The Blackbird Girls received a number of recognitions, including the National Jewish Book Award, a Sydney Taylor Honor, an ALA Notable, a New York Public Library Best Children’s Book of the Year, a Kirkus Best Children’s Book of the Year, and four starred reviews. It was an instant bestseller in Italy. Anne has wanted to write this story for more than twenty years, when she met a classmate who had lived through Chernobyl. They are still friends to this day.

Currently, Anne lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and best friend, Mike; their daughter, Kirsten; and lots of books. When Anne isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family, read, go for long runs, knit, and travel.

She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.