Sally Gardner is an English author of children's books. She is best known for her novel Maggot Moon, which won the 2013 Carnegie Medal. She has also written several other books, including I, Coriander, The Red Necklace, and The Silver Blade. Gardner was born in London and grew up in a family of storytellers. She was inspired to write her own stories after reading the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of East Anglia and has worked as a teacher and a bookseller. Gardner is passionate about creating stories that inspire children to think and explore their own imaginations. She believes that stories can help children to understand the world around them and to develop empathy.