ABOUT MARIE
Marie Arnold is a Haitian-born author of books for children and young adults. Born in Port-au-Prince, she came to the United States at seven and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, surrounded by her extended family. She attended Columbia College Chicago and now lives on the West Coast. Her books include The Year I Flew Away, A Place to Shine, I Rise, I Was Told There Would Be Romance, and Split the Sky, a 2026 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book. Next up is her middle grade horror novel They Will Not Save Us (Scholastic), followed by ShadowSync, a new middle grade horror series from Kwame Alexander Books that she is very excited to unleash on readers.
Marie Arnold Receiving the Coretta Scott King Author Honor — June 2026.
Marie Arnold was honored with the Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award in June 2026 for Split the Sky, recognizing her powerful storytelling and lasting contributions to children's and young adult literature.
BEYOND THE PAGE
Marie has also written extensively under the name Lola StVil, with her Guardians fantasy series reaching more than two million readers. The series is now being reimagined as Rage of Angels, coming in 2027 from Kwame Alexander Books. Her work has expanded beyond publishing into television, where she has worked with Disney+ and Disney Junior. Whether she’s writing contemporary fiction, fantasy, horror, or stories for the screen, Marie is drawn to bold characters facing impossible choices—and finding the courage to make their own way.
MIDDLE GRADE
BIGGER QUESTIONS. BRAVER KIDS.
They Will Not Save Us
A Place to Shine
The Year I Flew Away
YOUNG ADULT
HIGHER STAKES. BRAVER TRUTHS.
Split the Sky
I Was Told There Would Be Romance
I Rise