Ira Saxena

A child psychologist, writer and critic of children's books, Ira Saxena has written fiction and non-fiction in Hindi and English for children of all ages and adults. Her writings aremostly based on themes such as computer crime, science fiction and Gandhism. She received the Shankar's Silver Medal for Writing in 1996 for Gajmukta ki Talaash (Quest for the Jumbo Pearl) – an adventure set in India's freedom struggle, and also won the White Raven's selection at the International Youth Library in 2000 for her computer crime novel The Virus Trap. Many of her short stories have been awarded by publications such as Amar Chitra Katha and Saptahik Hindustan. Her books have found a place in schools as supplementary readers. Her recent novels include Curse of Grass, The Web Trail, Chand Katori and Paraa. Saxena is the founding member and Secretary of the Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children (AWIC). She has also been a member of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). A firm believer in the healing touch of literature, Saxena is spearheading a book therapy project among teachers and authors. She can be reached at saxena.ira@gmail.com