Background
She was the daughter of Phylis Fry and E.L Ince. Both her parents worked at the University of Liverpool, where her father was a mathematician and her mother a biologist.
(The 16-year-old Keeper of the Isis Light, Olwen Pendennis...)
The 16-year-old Keeper of the Isis Light, Olwen Pendennis, and her companion, Guardian, have lived alone on the remote planet of Isis since the death of Olwen's parents. Now, colonists from overcrowded and polluted Earth have arrived to settle in Isis' unspoilt valleys. Conflict arises as the new inhabitants start to repeat the mistakes of past generations and Olwen fears they may ruin Isis forever. This is a classic work of science fiction, full of drama and tension.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0613258592/?tag=2022091-20
( It was her tenth birthday on Isis. By Earth years, she...)
It was her tenth birthday on Isis. By Earth years, she would be sixteen. But Olwen Pendennis had never been to Earth. She had been born on Isis. And since her parents' death, she had lived there alone, manning the Isis Light -- a "lighthouse" in space designed to aid ships, and to bring settlers from Earth. And now, on the day of her tenth year, the settlers are coming at last. Olwen is ready to welcome them, but are they ready for her? She was once human, like them. But the harsh climate of the alien planet has changed her, transformed her into something else -- something the settlers could never be prepared for...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689833903/?tag=2022091-20
(It was her tenth birthday on Isis. By Earth years, she wo...)
It was her tenth birthday on Isis. By Earth years, she would be sixteen. But Olwen Pendennis had never been to Earth. She had been born on Isis. And since her parents' death, she had lived there alone, manning the Isis Light -- a "lighthouse" in space designed to aid ships, and to bring settlers from Earth. And now, on the day of her tenth year, the settlers are coming at last. Olwen is ready to welcome them, but are they ready for her? She was once human, like them. But the harsh climate of the alien planet has changed her, transformed her into something else -- something the settlers could never be prepared for...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416989633/?tag=2022091-20
She was the daughter of Phylis Fry and E.L Ince. Both her parents worked at the University of Liverpool, where her father was a mathematician and her mother a biologist.
Hughes attended Edinburgh University from 1942-1943.
She also wrote adventure and historical novels set in Canada, and the text for some children's picture books. She may be known best for the Isis trilogy of young-adult science fiction novels (1980–1982). Monica Hughes lived in many different countries, including Egypt, Scotland, England and Zimbabwe.
In her school years, her teachers always encouraged her to write and join essay writing competitions. While in school, Hughes' academic studies were interrupted as a result of World War II. She joined the Military service, the Women's Royal Naval Service, from the years 1943-1946, cracking German codes. After returning from the war, Hughes went back to school to study Meteorology.
Before becoming a writer, Hughes had many other careers. She was a dress designer in London England, and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe between the years 1948-1949. She was also a bank clerk in 1951, and a laboratory technician from 1952 to 1957.
Having written over 35 books for young people, Monica Hughes is known as one of Canada's best writers for children and young adults. Many of her books are science fiction. Monica Hughes has repeatedly been called "Canada's finest writer of science fiction for children", by critic Sarah Ellis in the The Horn Book Magazine.
When not writing or not in school, Hughes was said to enjoy swimming, walking, gardening and beachcombing. Hughes wrote about 40 books including more than 20 that ISFDB covers as speculative fiction novels. Although she spent a large part of her life writing, she was almost fifty when her first book was published.
That was Gold-Fever Trail: A Klondike Adventure, a Canadian historical novel (see Klondike Gold Rush). The Isis trilogy comprises The Keeper of the Isis Light and two sequels, originally published by Hamish Hamilton of London, 1980 to 1982. Accepting the Phoenix Award for Keeper twenty years later, Hughes discussed her writing process in general and specifically for that work.
WorldCat reports that Invitation to the Game (Toronto: HarperCollins, 1990) is her work most widely held in participating libraries, by a wide margin. It is a dystopian novel set on Earth in year 2154. Her last book was The Maze (2002).
It features a female protagonist and two bullies magically placed in a maze, where they all depend on her for rescue.
( Set in the very near future when global warming has bru...)
(Traveling to the desert island of Roshan to meet the youn...)
(When the slaves rebel against the rigid social order impo...)
(Forced to leave their farm after Grandmother dies, Concep...)
(The 16-year-old Keeper of the Isis Light, Olwen Pendennis...)
(Forced into the barrio by her grandmother's death, Concep...)
( Britain has just declared war on Germany and 14-year-ol...)
( “Be careful to make this house with love,” reads the cr...)
(A beloved Japanese tale tells the story of Issun Boshi an...)
(A beloved Japanese tale tells the story of Issun Boshi an...)
(A chilling account of life in 2154, when most jobs are do...)
(Valerie is imprisoned, a victim of the Space Trap. Spirit...)
( It was her tenth birthday on Isis. By Earth years, she...)
(It was her tenth birthday on Isis. By Earth years, she wo...)
(A picture book for children)
(Book by Hughes, Monica)
(Ruth is a misfit. Within the protective Dome of Ark Three...)
With Women's Royal Naval Svc., World War World War II. Member Writers' Union of Canada, Writers' Guild of Alberta, Canada Society Authors, Illustrators and Performers, Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists association International, San Francisco Canada, International Board on Book for Young People, Writers' Guild Alberta (secretary 1988-1989, R. Ross Annett award 1983, 84, 87, 92).
Married Glendon Earl Hughes, April 22, 1957. Children: Liz, Adrienne, Russell, Tom.