They feature an aristocratic girl and a gypsy boy who are 12 and 14 years old when the story opens. The Red Necklace: A story of the French Revolution and its sequel The Silver Blade are set primarily in France during the Revolution and the Reign of Terror, also in contemporary London. It is set in Cromwellian London and tells the story of Coriander, the unhappy daughter of a silk merchant. Her first full-length novel was a breakthrough, as I, Coriander won the Smarties Prize in 2005 (reader category 9–11 years). Her first book as a writer was published by Orion Books in 1993: The Little Nut Tree, a children's picture book that she also illustrated. In 2019 Sally became an Ambassador for audiobook charity Listening Books.

Noticed by teachers for her creative flair, she did very well in art college and then in drama college, and worked as a theatre set designer before turning to illustration and writing. She was formally diagnosed with severe dyslexia at 12 and didn't learn to read until she was 14, with the first book she read in full being Wuthering Heights. Gardner recalls being badly bullied in school, even being nicknamed 'Silly Sally' on account of her then undiagnosed dyslexia. Her mother, Nina Lowry was a barrister and judge at the Old Bailey. Sally Gardner is the daughter of two lawyers, raised in Birmingham, her parents separated and later divorced when she was five. Adult novels under pseudonym of Wray Delaney.

The book has a great spirit of adventure, which I believe will translate to make this a hugely popular family film. My daughter and all her friends who raved about Harry Potter, now rave about 'The Red Necklace'. Dominic West said: “I am delighted to be developing Sally’s wonderful book for film. In January 2010 West will be starring for Disney/Pixar in the upcoming film JOHN CARTER OF MARS directed by Andrew Stanton. Development will take place in the UK, where West is currently directing an episode of Jimmy McGovern’s MOVING ON for LA Productions, and where he has recently completed a sell out run in LIFE IS A DREAM at The Donmar Warehouse. The deal secures first options over the further books in the series, including THE SILVER BLADE, first published in the UK by Orion Books. Dominic West is celebrated for his portrayal of ‘Jimmy McNulty’ in THE WIRE, on which he was also a director in its award winning final season.

The actor and director Dominic West and his production company White Soup have announced the acquisition of the film and television rights to THE RED NECKLACE by Sally Gardner.

The red necklace by sally gardner