Young Adult author Jean Illingworth became a lover of reading at an early age when she immersed herself in stories to help her mild dyslexia. Jean has published the first five in a collection of eight children’s picture books, along with her illustrator son, called the Danny Dragon series, as well as two middle-grade novels, Beach Beings, and Beach Beings - Distant Shores. An adult fiction novel, The Allotments will be published later in 2021. Her newest release, Two Degrees, is a young adult dystopian fiction novel that explores a future that has been drastically changed by global warming. Jean thinks a good story is one that is fast paced, has relatable characters, evokes emotion, and challenges the reader to think about important issues. She hopes her young readers will come away from Two Degrees thinking about global warming and its effect on our planet, that there is a satisfying world without mobile phones and social media, and think about what’s truly important in life: kindness, friendship, family, and hope. When she isn’t writing thought-provoking books for young adults, Jean works as a health and safety consultant, but would love to be able to write full time. She is passionate about gardening and grows vegetables and plants bee-friendly plants, recognising the importance of bees as pollinators. This passion is reflected in Two Degrees and The Allotments. Jean also loves to photograph the coast and wonderful Yorkshire countryside and used to run a small gallery selling her pictures. She enjoys singing with her husband, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. Jean lives in North Yorkshire, UK, with her husband, DJ, who she has been with for nearly fifty years, and her adult son.