Ann M. Martin

Ann M. Martin, an acclaimed American children’s fiction writer, is best known for creating the beloved *The Baby-Sitters Club* series. Born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey, Ann was deeply influenced by her family background. Her mother, a preschool teacher, and her father, a professional cartoonist for prestigious publications including *The New Yorker*, provided a creative foundation that shaped Ann’s writing career.

Ann’s literary journey began with the publication of her first book, *Bummer Summer*, in 1983, which won the Children’s Choice Award in 1985. She made a significant mark in the literary world with *The Baby-Sitters Club*, which she started in 1985 while working as a children’s book editor for Scholastic. The series, which initially featured 35 novels penned by Martin, became a cultural phenomenon and continued under ghostwriters after her initial run. Ann later expanded her repertoire to include standalone novels, often set in the 1960s, such as *A Corner of the Universe*, which earned a Newbery Honor in 2003.

In addition to *The Baby-Sitters Club*, Martin is known for other series and standalone novels, including *Main Street* and *Missy Piggle-Wiggle*. Her notable standalone works include *Belle Teal* and *Rain Reign*. In 2010, Martin explored her iconic series’ origins with the prequel *The Summer Before*, and in 2020, she served as a producer for the Netflix adaptation of *The Baby-Sitters Club*.

Residing in upstate New York, Ann M. Martin continues to write and immerse herself in new literature, contributing significantly to children’s fiction with her engaging and heartwarming stories.