Elizabeth Wein author page

Elizabeth Wein biography

Elizabeth E. Wein is an American-born author acclaimed for her contributions to young adult historical fiction. Born in New York City in 1964, she spent her early childhood in England and Jamaica before returning to the United States. Wein pursued higher education at Yale University and later earned a Ph.D. in Folklore from the University of Pennsylvania.

Wein’s literary career began with the “Lion Hunters” series, a reinterpretation of Arthurian legends set in sixth-century Ethiopia. Her transition to aviation-themed narratives was influenced by obtaining a private pilot’s license in 2003. This passion for flight is evident in her novel Code Name Verity (2012), which explores the friendship between a British spy and a transport pilot during World War II. The book received critical acclaim, earning a Michael L. Printz Honor and the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel in 2013.

Following this success, Wein published Rose Under Fire (2013), focusing on an American pilot’s experiences in a Nazi concentration camp, and The Pearl Thief (2017), a prequel to Code Name Verity. Her nonfiction work includes A Thousand Sisters: The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II (2019), highlighting the contributions of Soviet female pilots during the war.

Wein currently resides in Scotland and holds dual American and British citizenship. Her works continue to resonate with readers, offering compelling narratives that blend historical accuracy with engaging storytelling.