Photo of Hilary McKay

Hilary McKay

Hilary McKay was born in Boston, Lincolnshire and is the eldest of four girls. From a very early age she read voraciously and grew up in a household of readers. Hilary says of herself as a child “I anaesthetised myself against the big bad world with large doses of literature. The local library was as familiar to me as my own home.”

After reading Botany and Zoology at St. Andrew’s University Hilary then went on to work as a biochemist in an Analysis Department. Hilary enjoyed the work but at the same time had a burning desire to write. After the birth of her two children, Hilary wanted to devote more time to bringing up her children and writing so decided to leave her job.

One of the best things about being a writer, says Hilary, is receiving letters from children. She wishes that she had written to authors as a child, but it never occurred to her to contact them!

Hilary has written many books but is probably best known for the award-winning Casson family series.

Hilary now lives in a small village in Derbyshire with her family. When not writing Hilary loves walking, reading, and having friends to stay.

Books by Hilary McKay

  • Binny for Short

    Binny for Short

  • Binny for Short

    Binny for Short

  • Binny Keeps a Secret

    Binny Keeps a Secret

  • Boudica's Army

    Boudica's Army

  • Boudica's Army

    Boudica's Army

  • Caddy Ever After

    Caddy Ever After

  • Caddy Ever After

    Caddy Ever After

  • Caddy's World

    Caddy's World

  • Charlie and the Big Birthday Bash

    Charlie and the Big Birthday Bash

  • Charlie and the Big Snow

    Charlie and the Big Snow

  • Charlie and the Cat Flap

    Charlie and the Cat Flap

  • Charlie and the Cheese and Onion Crisps

    Charlie and the Cheese and Onion Crisps

  • Charlie and the Great Escape

    Charlie and the Great Escape

  • Charlie and the Haunted Tent

    Charlie and the Haunted Tent

  • Charlie and the Rocket Boy

    Charlie and the Rocket Boy

  • Charlie and the Tooth Fairy

    Charlie and the Tooth Fairy

  • Forever Rose

    Forever Rose

  • Forever Rose

    Forever Rose

  • Hello Charlie

    Hello Charlie

  • Indigo's Star

    Indigo's Star

  • Indigo's Star

    Indigo's Star

  • Lulu and the Caterpillars

    Lulu and the Caterpillars

  • Lulu and the Cat in the Bag

    Lulu and the Cat in the Bag

  • Lulu and the Dog from the Sea

    Lulu and the Dog from the Sea

  • Lulu and the Duck in the Park

    Lulu and the Duck in the Park

  • Lulu and the Hamster in the Night

    Lulu and the Hamster in the Night

  • Lulu and the Hedgehog in the Rain

    Lulu and the Hedgehog in the Rain

  • Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door

    Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door

  • Permanent Rose

    Permanent Rose

  • Permanent Rose

    Permanent Rose

  • Practically Perfect

    Practically Perfect

  • Saffy's Angel

    Saffy's Angel

  • Saffy's Angel

    Saffy's Angel

  • The Skylarks' War

    The Skylarks' War

  • The Time of Green Magic

    The Time of Green Magic

  • Wishing for Tomorrow

    Wishing for Tomorrow

Awards

Hilary’s awards include the Guardian prize for The Exiles, the Nestle Smarties prize for The Exiles at Home, and the Costa Award for Saffy’s Angel and The Skylark’s War.