OLDFIELD, Jenny 1949-(Lucy Daniels, Kate Fielding, Fiona Kelly)

PERSONAL: Born August 8, 1949, in Harrogate, England; children: Kate Sioban, Eve Helen. Education: University of Birmingham, B.A. (with honors), 1970, M.A., 1972, Ph.D., 1976.

ADDRESSES: Home—Ash Tree House, 124 Skipton Rd., Ilkley LS29 9BQ, England. Agent—Caroline Sheldon, Thorley Manor Farm, Thorley, Yarmouth PO41 0SJ, England.

CAREER: Teacher and children's book writer. Edgbaston High School, Birmingham, England, English teacher, 1972-74; Wroxton College, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Banbury, England, lecturer in English, 1976; King Edward's High School for Girls, Edgbaston, England, English teacher, 1977; taught English in schools and colleges throughout England to 1993; writer, 1977—.

AWARDS, HONORS: World Book Day selection, 2003, for Tough It out, Tom.

WRITINGS:

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, Heinemann (London, England), 1975.

Mr. Hardisty's Kind Offer, Heinemann (London, England), 1975.

Secret of the Seasons, Heinemann (London, England), 1976.

Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights: A Study Guide, Heinemann (London, England), 1976.

Fancy That! illustrated by Jake Tebbit, E. J. Arnold (Leeds, England), 1979.

Going Soft, illustrated by Jake Tebbit, E. J. Arnold (Leeds, England), 1979.

Yours Truly—, illustrated by Jake Tebbit, E. J. Arnold (Leeds, England), 1979.

The Terrible Pet, illustrated by Jake Tebbit, E. J. Arnold (Leeds, England), 1979.

Fitzwilliam Frog: His Problem at the Pool, E. J. Arnold (Leeds, England), 1986,

Said the Blind Man (adult novel), Macmillan (London, England), 1986.

Vincent Viper, illustrated by Alan Chatfield, Arnold-Wheaton (Leeds, England), 1987.

Ricardo Rat, illustrated by Alan Chatfield, Arnold-Wheaton (Leeds, England), 1987.

Leonardo Lizard, illustrated by Alan Chatfield, Arnold-Wheaton (Leeds, England), 1988.

Smile Please, illustrated by Clare Herroneau, E. J. Arnold (Leeds, England), 1989.

Bad Company, Macdonald (London, England), 1989.

January's Child, Macdonald (London, England), 1989.

Misfits and Rebels: Short Stories, Virago (London, England), 1990, Virago (New York, NY), 1991.

Rings on Her Fingers, Learning Disabilities Association (Wisbech, England), 1992.

Camping Paradiso, illustrated by Francis Scappatacci, Longman (Harrow, England), 1994.

The Hidden Tomb, Hippo (London, England), 1995.

Pardise Court, Macmillan (London, England), 1995.

After Hours, Macmillan (London, England), 1995.

Deadline, Severn House (New York, NY), 1996.

All Fall Down, Macmillan (London, England), 1997.

Extra Time, illustrated by Maggie Downer, Barrington Stoke (Edinburgh, Scotland), 1999.

Off-Side, illustrated by Maggie Downer, Barrington Stoke (Edinburgh, Scotland), 2001.

Silver Cloud ("Dreamseeker" trilogy), Hodder (London, England), 2002.

Iron Eyes ("Dreamseeker" trilogy), Hodder (London, England), 2002.

Bad Heart ("Dreamseeker" trilogy), Hodder (London, England), 2003.

Also author of The True Loves of Tannockburn, 1980, and Rough Remedies, 1981. Has also published under the pseudonyms Fiona Kelly, Lucy Daniels, and Kate Fielding.

"animal alert" series

Abandoned, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Killer on the Loose, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Quarantine, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Intensive Care, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Skin and Bone, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Living Proof, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Blind Alley, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Grievous Bodily Harm, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Running Wild, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Lost and Found, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Heatwave, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

"one for sorrow" series

One for Sorrow, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Two for Joy, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Three for a Girl, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Four for a Boy, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Five for Silver, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Six for Gold, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Seven for a Secret, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Eight for a Wish, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Nine for a Kiss, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

"home farm twins" series

Speckle: The Stray (also see below), illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Solo: The Homeless, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Susie: The Orphan, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Snip and Snap: The Truants, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Spike: The Tramp, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Sinbad: The Runaway (also see below), illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1996.

Home Farm Twins (contains Speckle: The Stray and Sinbad: The Runaway), Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Sunny: The Hero, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Stevie: The Rebel, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Sampson: The Giant, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Scruffy: The Scamp, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Socks: The Survivor, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1997.

Skye: The Champion, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Stanley: The Troublemaker, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Sorrel: The Substitute, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Sultan: The Patient, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Sugar and Spice: The Pickpockets, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Sophie: The Show-Off, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Smoky: The Mystery, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1998.

Silky: The Foundling, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Stalky: The Mascot, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Shelley: The Shadow, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Spot: The Prisoner, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Scott: The Braveheart, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Samantha: The Snob, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Star: The Surprise, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Maisie Wants Her Mum, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Home Farm Friends: Short Story Collection, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Short Story Collections Snapshots, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Mitch Goes Missing, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Smarty: The Outcast, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Mac Climbs a Mountain, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Titch Plays Tricks, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Tess Gets Trapped, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Toby Takes the Plunge, illustrated by Kate Aldous, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

"horses of half moon ranch" series

Wild Horses, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Midnight Lady, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Crazy Horse, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Johnny Mohawk, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Rodeo Rocky, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Third-Time Lucky, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 1999.

Navaho Joe, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Jethro Junior, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Danny Boy, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Hollywood Princess, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Little Vixen, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Gunsmoke, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Golden Dawn, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Starlight, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2000.

Moondance, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Skylark, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Steamboat Charlie, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Lady Roseanne, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Silver Spur, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Eagle Wing, illustrated by Paul Hunt, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

El Dorado, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Santa Ana, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Chiquita, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Diamond Charm, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

"definitely daisy" series

You're a Disgrace, Daisy! illustrated by Lauren Child, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Just You Wait, Winona! illustrated by Lauren Child, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

You Must Be Joking, Jimmy! illustrated by Lauren Child, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

I'd Like a Little Word, Leonie! illustrated by Lauren Child, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Not Now, Nathan! illustrated by Lauren Child, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

What's the Matter, Maya? illustrated by Lauren Child, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

Dream on, Daisy! illustrated by Lauren Child, Hodder (London, England), 2001.

"totally tom" series

Tell Me the Truth, Tom! illustrated by Neal Layton, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

Watch out, Wayne, illustrated by Neal Layton, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

Get Lost, Lola! illustrated by Neal Layton, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

Keep the Noise down, Kingsley, illustrated by Neal Layton, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

Drop Dead, Danielle, illustrated by Neal Layton, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

Don't Make Me Laugh, Liam, illustrated by Neal Layton, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

Tough It Out, Tom, illustrated by Neal Layton, Hodder (London, England), 2003.

"my little life" series

When Ellie Cheated, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

When Scott Got Lost, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

When Geri and I Fell Out, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

When Dad Went on a Date, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

When I Won a Prize, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

When Shah Went Weird, Hodder (London, England), 2002.

SIDELIGHTS: A former English teacher in her native England, Jenny Oldfield is a prolific author who has produced a large selection of accessible fiction books in the "Animal Alert," "Definitely Daisy," and "Horses of Half Moon Ranch" series, to name a few. In the "Definitely Daisy" books, readers meet the rambunctious heroine as she ignores the advice and wishes of the adults in her life to go her own way. Books such as Blind Alley, part of the "Animal Alert" series, focus on the veterinarians and animal welfare experts who intervene in cases of animal cruelty and injury, as well as those who train and work with animals. Reluctant or dyslexic readers in the middle grades are the target of several lighthearted novels penned by Oldfield, among them Extra Time, about a teen soccer player named Danny who has girl-trouble off the playing field, and its sequel, Off-Side. In a review of Off-Side for the Times Educational Supplement, Linda Newbery praised the book as being attractive to its intended audience due to its "well-spaced text and . . . lively illustrations."

Although most of her titles fall into the mass market category, Oldfield has made a reputation as a skilled young adult novelist. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, published in 1975, tells the story of a girl caught up in the magic and drama of a group of otherworldly dancers who appear near her home at night. Oldfield's first novel, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, prompted a Junior Bookshelf reviewer to remark that the "delicate but happy" work "shows great promise." The reviewer noted that the book's strong ending "gives hope and expectancy for more work of some distinction" from Oldfield. Praising Oldfield for her fine sense of style, another Junior Bookshelf contributor enjoyed her next novel, Mr. Hardisty's Kind Offer, a Victorian-era melodrama about a street-smart Cockney girl and the adults out to bamboozle her.

Continuing to write for a young audience through the 1980s, Oldfield hit her stride with teen problem novels such as Bad Company and January's Child. In January's Child, fifteen-year-old Justine runs away from her foster home and attempts to care for her younger brother while living on the street. The love of a boyfriend finally provides Justine with the ability to pull her life together in a novel that "has a good plot and deals well with the feelings of the protagonists," according to School Librarian contributor Valerie Caless. An abused teen is the focus of Bad Company, and as in January's Child, Oldfield makes a romance with a caring young man the catalyst through which the young protagonist learns to confront her problems. Calling Bad Company a novel with more to recommend "than merely a good storyline," School Librarian contributor Elizabeth Finlayson noted that Oldfield provides readers with a text that is both "clear-sighted [and] perceptive." A Books for Keeps reviewer also had praise for Bad Company, noting that readers are kept intrigued by its realistic characters and "detached but confidential tone."

Oldfield described herself to CA as "a frequent visitor to the United States, especially Colorado, the inspiration for many of my books." Her "Horses of Half Moon Ranch" and the "Dreamseeker" trilogy are both inspired by her interest in the American West and its history.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

periodicals

Booklist, July, 1991, Hazel Rochman, review of Misfits and Rebels, p. 2040.

Books for Keeps, January, 1990, Jessica Yates, review of Bad Company and January's Child, pp. 10, 11; September, 1990, review of Misfits and Rebels, p. 15; May, 1999, review of Extra Time, p. 25.

British Book News, September, 1986, Jessica Mann, review of Said the Blind Man, pp. 514, 516.

Growing Point, April, 1975, review of Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, p. 2597.

Junior Bookshelf, June, 1975, review of Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, p. 202; February, 1976, review of Mr. Hardisty's Kind Offer, p. 52; December, 1976, review of Secrets of the Season, p. 351; August, 1990, review of Misfits and Rebels, p. 199.

Listener, December 7, 1989, Joanna Porter, review of Bad Company, p. 28.

School Librarian, August, 1989, Valerie Caless, review of January's Child, p. 116; May, 1990, review of Bad Company, p. 78; autumn, 1998, Lucinda Fox, review of Blind Alley, p. 148; autumn, 1999, Frances Ball, review of Extra Time, pp. 134-135; summer, 2000, Sandra Bennett, review of Four for a Boy, p. 101; summer, 2001, Prue Goodwin, review of You're a Disgrace, Daisy!, p. 76; winter, 2001, Andrea Rayner, review of Off-Side, p. 192.

Times Educational Supplement, October 27, 1995, Tom Deveson, review of The Hidden Tomb, p. S11; July 6, 2001, Linda Newbery, review of Off-Side, p. 23.

Times Literary Supplement, April 4, 1975, Rosamond Faith, review of Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, p. 361; December 5, 1975, Ann Carter, review of Mr. Hardisty's Kind Offer, p. 1455; July 16, 1976, Ann Evans, review of Secrets of the Seasons, p. 880.