Jolene Gutiérrez
Jolene Gutiérrez grew up on a farm in northeastern Colorado, surrounded by animals, plants, and history. Now, she lives with her family and a variety of animals in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. She is an award-winning neurodivergent teacher librarian and has been working with neurodivergent learners at Denver Academy since 1995. She’s a wife of 25+ years and mama to two young adults, three dogs, two cats, and an ever-rotating variety of other rescue animals. Jolene is an active member of SCBWI and The Authors Guild, part of the KidLitCollective and Picture Book Gold groups, and a co-creator of #KidlitZombieWeek. Jolene is represented by agent Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary. She’s a contributor to If I Could Choose a Best Day: Poems of
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Ana Velez
Author-illustrator Ana Velez living Oregon.
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Author-illustrator Ana Velez grew up in Quito, Ecuador “helping” her crafty Abuela with art projects. With a degree in fine art, she journeyed into the graphic design world. But it was a teaching position that sparked her passion and Master’s degree. She’s been learning from neuro-divergent children ever since as an early childhood specialist. When not attending to her feline rulers, she’s paddle-boarding down Oregon rivers. -
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Karla Arenas Valenti
Karla Arenas Valenti is the Pura Belpré award winning author of best selling middle grade novels, chapter books, and picture books.
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Her books are on various state reading lists and have received multiple starred reviews, as well as being being featured on NPR’s Sunday Edition, the Drew Barrymore Show, and several Best of the Year lists, including Kirkus Best Book of the Year, Banks Street Best Children’s Book, School Library Journal’s Best Books, Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, Evanston Public Library Best Book of the Year, PEOPLE’s pick for best children’s book, and Best Books for kids by Entertainment Weekly.
Karla grew up in Mexico City, in a house built around a tree. Her childhood was filled with fantastical elements, whic -
Alison McGauley
Alison McGauley is a special education teacher, author, and mom. She aims to create books with big heart for little readers.
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As a person living with chronic illness, Alison is passionate about writing stories that speak to children and caregivers who are impacted by illness or disability. She also loves creating books that feature humor, SEL, and the natural world.
When she’s not teaching, reading, or writing, Alison adventures in local forests and trails with her family. She resides in Ontario, Canada, with her partner, two daughters, and Ragdoll cat. -
Shaina Rudolph
Shaina Rudolph is a children's book author. Her books include, All My Stripes and Brilliant Bea. She has been an educator for 15 years. She's originally from New Jersey and has lived in Los Angeles for many years.
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Elizabeth Everett
Elizabeth spent 16 years as a classroom teacher before venturing into writing. She has taught elementary school, middle school, high school, and at the collegiate level where she worked with adults pursuing teacher certification.
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Inspired by her energetic youngster and his love for books, she took her background in education and meshed it with his childhood interests. The result was edu-tainment in the form of children's books!
She currently lives in Colorado with her family where they love spending time outdoors. -
Kelly Crull
Kelly Crull is the author of a parenting book, Becoming Dad , a children's book, Clara Has a Baby Brother, and a parenting blog, spaindad.com, which was one of Google's top-ranked "baby blogs," syndicated by a number of online dad networks and featured as a link at Glamour.com. He has been featured as a new voice in parenting in various La Leche League newsletters, The Father Life magazine, AttachmentParenting.com and DIYFather.com. His parenting videos have appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Slate.com, Marca.com and have received YouTube's "Top 50 Videos of the Week" award. Kelly is originally from Iowa. He lives with his wife and two children in Madrid, Spain.
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Download a significant chunk of Kelly's most recent book, Beco -
A.J. Irving
A.J. Irving grew up in Boise, Idaho, writing stories and daydreaming about becoming an author. Now, she writes picture books and poetry beneath an old elm tree in Salt Lake City. A.J. is the author of Dance Like a Leaf, The Wishing Flower, and The Bi Book (Knopf BFYR, May 2025).
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As a children’s author and former bookmobile librarian, A.J. is passionate about inspiring kids to love books. When she’s not reading, writing, or dancing, she enjoys exploring Utah with her husband, two children, and their English bulldogs. Learn more at www.ajirving.com -
Christine Alemshah
Christine Alemshah (she/her) is a biracial Filipina-American children’s author and classically trained vocalist; she is the author of Bea’s Balikbayan Box of Treasures. Christine writes children’s picture books championing innovation and celebrating multiculturalism, often with musical or percussive vibes. She hopes readers will see themselves in the stories she writes. Christine studied psychology and music, earning a bachelor of arts degree from Whittier College. When not writing, Christine enjoys singing karaoke and reading with her husband and two daughters under cozy blankets at their Lake Forest, California, home. Find out more about Christine at christinealemshah.com.
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Christina Shawn
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I am a wisdom-seeker, a wonder-weaver, and a magic-believer. What thrills me the most is writing about it all.
I am an author, Reading Specialist, Literacy Coach, English teacher, and mom of 3.
My first book, Lucas Plays, is about the magic of the music that is inside us all.
I have two traditionally published picture books releasing in 2025. There's Always Room for More (Maydani, Chronicle Books, March 2025)
and
No Love Potion (Miller-Gass, The Little Press, Sept 2025)
Find out more about these books and updates on new publications at ChristinaShawn.com -
Carrie Kruck
Carrie Kruck was born and raised in Canada, studied and worked as a psychologist in Australia, and now lives in New England with her husband, two kids, and a delightful assortment of owls, foxes, and bears (oh my!). She loves swimming in lakes, snowshoeing in forests, and growing food in her garden, but you can mostly find her staring out the window with a cup of coffee (aka writing) or at www.CarrieKruck.com.
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Lisa Tolin
Lisa Tolin (she/her) is a longtime journalist and picture book author. Her debut picture book, How to Be a Rock Star, illustrated by Daniel Duncan, publishes in 2022.
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Kirsten Pendreigh
Kirsten Pendreigh is a children’s author and poet from Vancouver.
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Her books include: MAYBE A WHALE (a JLG Gold Standard and Horn Book Fanfare Book),
WHEN A TREE FALLS (a PW Starred Review), WHAT FISH ARE SAYING (a SLJ Starred Review) and LUNA'S GREEN PET (a Today Show best book pick).
Kirsten’s poems are found in Canadian literary magazines and anthologies including Best Canadian Poetry 2021. Kirsten is a former CBC and NPR journalist. -
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Jessica Shaw
Hi! I'm the author of picture books THE GREAT COOKIE KERFUFFLE (Mathical Honor Book '24) & ALICE ALONE (releasing March '25!) as well as NF books for children and young adults.
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**Pre-K teacher ** Picture book writer ** SCBWI member ** I'm all about #kids #kidlit #animals #plants #kindness
Please visit me at: https://www.authorjessicashaw.com/
for fun, free bonus content/printable activities created for The Great Cookie Kerfuffle! -
Dano Moreno
Dano Moreno started writing for kids when he became a father. When not writing, Dano enjoys time with his family and works as a public health advocate. He lives in Oregon with his husband and son and is represented by Charlotte Wenger.
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Gabriela Orozco Belt
Gabriela Orozco Belt is a children’s book author who lives in a small town in the Mojave Desert. Inspired by her experiences of growing up bilingual and bicultural, she writes stories for children so they can see themselves in books. Gaby’s debut picture book, Only for a Little While, serves to soften and process the feeling of being uprooted and see change as a temporary difficulty that families can get through with mutual support. When not teaching, writing, or reading, she can be found spending time with her husband, three children, and extended family.
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Jackie Morera
Jackie Morera is a Cuban American author of books for young-at-heart readers. Born and raised in Miami, Jackie now lives with her family in Central Florida. She is a wife, mom, and wildlife lover who is never far from her animal familiar: currently, a floppy black Lab named Tanner. Outside of writing, Jackie enjoys talking to the bees, caterpillars, and butterflies that visit her pollinator garden, savoring pastelitos, and cozying up for a good nap. Jackie is an active member of Las Musas and a 2025 PB Rising Stars Mentor. Jackie is the author of TOGETHER WE REMEMBER, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación; ABUELO'S FLOWER SHOP, illustrated by Deise Lino; and more!
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Danielle Sharkan
Danielle Sharkan is a former teacher with a background in history, politics, and languages. She has degrees in Political Science and Jewish Studies as well as Middle Eastern Studies and Secondary Education, and taught ESL for ten years. Having grown up in the Chicago suburbs, she now lives with her family in Boulder, Colorado. You can find her on Twitter at @DaniraeShark.
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Alison McGauley
Alison McGauley is a special education teacher, author, and mom. She aims to create books with big heart for little readers.
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As a person living with chronic illness, Alison is passionate about writing stories that speak to children and caregivers who are impacted by illness or disability. She also loves creating books that feature humor, SEL, and the natural world.
When she’s not teaching, reading, or writing, Alison adventures in local forests and trails with her family. She resides in Ontario, Canada, with her partner, two daughters, and Ragdoll cat. -
Katie Venit
Katie Venit has been writing since the fifth grade when she and her friends passed around a composition notebook in which they took turns making up. But she didn’t know she wanted to be a writer for kids (the best of all audiences, as it turns out) until her son asked her to write a book about the solar system.
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Katie has held quite a few jobs, from working at a barbeque catering company in Maryland to waiting tables at a beach in Delaware to teaching English in Japan. Now she lives in Wisconsin and works as an instructional designer helping college instructors put their courses online.
As a professional writer, Katie writes picture books and middle grade graphic novels, including Forts and Cassini’s Mission. Her nonfiction essays have appeare -
Ginger Park
Author of THE HUNDRED CHOICES DEPARTMENT STORE (awarded 2022 BEST BOOKS by Korean American Authors by Best of Korea) https://bestofkorea.com/round-up-of-k.... Recently published: GRANDPA'S SCROLL. Forthcoming: SUKA'S FARM (Fall, 2024), BINNA'S BIRTHDAY (Spring, 2025).
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According to my life path number 3, I was destined to write (that is if you believe in numerology and I do). But as a youngster, I was an athlete, a gymnast with boundless energy, spending most of my time upside down, turning cartwheels and doing backflips – I was too carefree to tap into my creative side.
That all changed on my seventeenth birthday, two days after my father’s untimely death. Call it a gut-wrenching aha moment, a reflective day of tearful soul-searching when I r -
Amy B. McCoy
Amy McCoy is a former elementary school teacher who loved writing stories for her students so much, she became a children’s book author. Now, instead of having her own classroom, she appears in schools around the country both in person and on screens as a visiting author.
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Amy is a mom who finds inspiration for her books from watching her own two children interact with the world. Her award-winning children’s novel series, Little Big Sister, is read in third grade classrooms across the USA. Katie Finds Her Voice: A Story About Autism is a prequel to this chapter book series.
When she’s not writing her books or presenting in elementary schools about autism acceptance, you can find Amy practicing yoga, riding her bike, singing along to her favo -
Elizabeth Everett
Elizabeth spent 16 years as a classroom teacher before venturing into writing. She has taught elementary school, middle school, high school, and at the collegiate level where she worked with adults pursuing teacher certification.
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Inspired by her energetic youngster and his love for books, she took her background in education and meshed it with his childhood interests. The result was edu-tainment in the form of children's books!
She currently lives in Colorado with her family where they love spending time outdoors. -
Carrie Kruck
Carrie Kruck was born and raised in Canada, studied and worked as a psychologist in Australia, and now lives in New England with her husband, two kids, and a delightful assortment of owls, foxes, and bears (oh my!). She loves swimming in lakes, snowshoeing in forests, and growing food in her garden, but you can mostly find her staring out the window with a cup of coffee (aka writing) or at www.CarrieKruck.com.
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Lisa Tolin
Lisa Tolin (she/her) is a longtime journalist and picture book author. Her debut picture book, How to Be a Rock Star, illustrated by Daniel Duncan, publishes in 2022.
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Jessica Shaw
Hi! I'm the author of picture books THE GREAT COOKIE KERFUFFLE (Mathical Honor Book '24) & ALICE ALONE (releasing March '25!) as well as NF books for children and young adults.
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**Pre-K teacher ** Picture book writer ** SCBWI member ** I'm all about #kids #kidlit #animals #plants #kindness
Please visit me at: https://www.authorjessicashaw.com/
for fun, free bonus content/printable activities created for The Great Cookie Kerfuffle! -
Dano Moreno
Dano Moreno started writing for kids when he became a father. When not writing, Dano enjoys time with his family and works as a public health advocate. He lives in Oregon with his husband and son and is represented by Charlotte Wenger.
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Sophia Payne
British Indo-Caribbean #kidlit author. Rep'd by @alicelovesbooks. Debut #Faruqandthewiriwiri out now!
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John Himmelman
John Himmelman is the author and illustrator of more than sixty books for children, including Chickens to the Rescue. He lives in Connecticut with his family.
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According John's Facebook page, he has been "making up stories and scribbling pictures since I could hold a crayon in my hand. It became my job in 1981, when my first book, "Talester the Lizard" was published during my last year in college (School of Visual Arts)....It behooves a writer to try and turn what interests them into their work. I've been fortunate to do that with my love of nature, with books - for adults and children - focusing on different natural history topics."
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Rose Robbins
Hello, I'm Rose Robbins, and I'm a words addict. I love words, whether they are in a book, a newspaper, a text message, or scrawled on a bathroom wall. Sometimes when I am at a friend's home, I see something with words on it, like a letter or something personal, and I can't help reading it. It's not because I am a snoop, I swear! It's just that I really can't resist words on a page or screen. They MUST be read!
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Happily, I have settled on a way to safely satisfy my constant craving for words - I write them myself. I still love reading things at other people's houses, but now if I wake in the night jonesing for some words, I can just create some to get myself through another day. -
Michael Emberley
Michael Emberley is the illustrator of numerous books for children. He lives in Ireland.
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Gabriella Aldeman
Gabriella Aldeman is a Panamanian American author. She writes picture books in hopes that more children become readers and for all readers to feel seen. She is also a professional translator, and holds degrees from Georgetown University and the College of William and Mary. Gabriella lives in Fairfax, VA, with her partner and two children. Please visit her at https://www.writebetween.com/ or @write_between on Twitter or Instagram.
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Julie Hedlund
Julie Hedlund is an award-winning children's book author. Her latest book is OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE? (Philomel, 2021). SONG AFTER SONG: THE MUSICAL LIFE OF JULIE ANDREWS (Little Bee Books, 2023) releases September 5, 2023. She is also the author of, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN, and A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS. reading, writing, or traveling, Julie is busy writing more books and visiting with the kids who read them at schools and libraries.
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Paola Santos
Paola Santos is a children's book author from Venezuela who has always had a passion for writing. When she moved to Canada, she found the courage to share stories of hope and happiness that celebrate her own culture and the richness of diversity. Paola describes herself as a curious seeker who sees the world with childlike wonder and loves to express deep emotions through her writing. Her debut picture book HOW TO EAT A MANGO is slated for publication in Summer 2024 (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House). She currently resides in Edmonton with her husband and daughter.
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A.J. Irving
A.J. Irving grew up in Boise, Idaho, writing stories and daydreaming about becoming an author. Now, she writes picture books and poetry beneath an old elm tree in Salt Lake City. A.J. is the author of Dance Like a Leaf, The Wishing Flower, and The Bi Book (Knopf BFYR, May 2025).
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As a children’s author and former bookmobile librarian, A.J. is passionate about inspiring kids to love books. When she’s not reading, writing, or dancing, she enjoys exploring Utah with her husband, two children, and their English bulldogs. Learn more at www.ajirving.com -
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Thushanthi Ponweera
Thushanthi Ponweera is an author and poet from Sri Lanka. Before daring to follow her dream of being published, she was a marketing specialist and entrepreneur. Her writing reflects the frustration she feels at the inequality and injustice she sees around her and the deep love she has for her island home. Her debut middle-grade novel in verse I Am Kavi was published in 2023 and her debut picture book My Best Friend's Bangles will be out June 2024. Thushanthi also has another picture book Crossing The Finish Line, scheduled for publication in 2025.
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After having lived all her life in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thushanthi recently moved to Doha, Qatar where she lives with her husband and two children. -
Jill Dana
Jill Dana is an author, illustrator, artist, teacher, and filmmaker.
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For more about Jill and her books, visit www.JillDanaBooks.com or her social media @JillDanaBooks -
Kim A. Larson
Kim A. Larson enjoys all forms of writing: fiction, nonfiction, essay, poetry, children’s books, biblical studies, etc. Her content is consistently warm, authentic, family-friendly, with a lot of heart.
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In her Bible study “Unraveling Fairly Tales: Learning to Live Happily Ever After,” Kim shares insights from her spiritual journey with God. She’s convinced of God’s goodness and his ability “to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20, KJV).
Kim has taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and led Bible studies and a single mom’s ministry. It brings her joy to share God’s heart at Women’s retreats, MOPs meetings, Mother-daughter programs or other Women’s events. She is married to her best friend, Chuck, and -
Sarah Hovorka
Sarah Hovorka writes lots of stuff. Unlike Goldilocks, every genre she tries feels just right. Her three sons provide her plenty of fodder for her children’s books while her reading list influences the rest.
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Beyond reading and writing, Sarah loves to play games, bike ride, eat chocolate, and enjoy trees…when she’s not too busy homeschooling. You can find out more about her, her books, and follow her blogs at www.SarahHovorka.com. -
Clara Anganuzzi
Clara Anganuzzi would draw on every surface she could find as a child growing up in Seychelles. She enjoys using a mixture of traditional techniques to create narrative images and characters with subtle, gentle humor. She lives in Bristol, England.
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Sara Andrea Fajardo
Sara A. Fajardo is a founding member of #LatinxPitch for KidLit. Her US debut picture book, Crack Goes the Cascarón, illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza, releases on 2/18/25 from Knopf Books for Young Readers. Her second book, Paka Paka Con La Papa: Alberto Salas Plays Potato Hide-and-Seek, illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Juana Martinez-Neal releases on 3/18/25 by Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan. More exciting picture books news coming soon!
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When Sara first moved to the United States from her native Peru, her spoken English vocabulary consisted of just one word “monkey.” Thanks to Alisal Elementary, a bilingual school in Salinas, California, she not only expanded her vocabulary, she was also taught to celebrate her mixed heritage. It wa -
Marta Magellan
Marta Magellan was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has lived in Miami, Florida since the age of seven. She taught Composition, Creative Writing, and Survey of Children’s Literature at Miami Dade College, where she was a full professor and award-winning adviser to Miambiance, the campus literary arts magazine. She has written travel articles for magazines and newspapers but her love for children and profound interest in nature has produced several award-winning children’s books about wild animals, many in collaboration with her brother, Mauro Magellan, an illustrator who has produced work for Albert Whitman, Pelican Press, Scholastic, among others. She has also written children's books for the educational market and a few travel articles
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Nydia Armendia-Sánchez
Nydia Armendia-Sánchez is a children’s book author based in California. Her debut picture book NOT FAR FROM HERE, Candlewick Press, releases this fall 2024. Other forthcoming books are FRIDA KAHLO’S FLOWER CROWN (Cameron Kids, spring 2025), and MY HUIPIL (Candlewick Press, 2026).
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Nydia was awarded the Sustainable Arts Foundation Illustrated Children’s Book Award and named a finalist for the We Need Diverse Books Walter Grant.
Her storytelling is inspired by her children as well as her Guatemalan and Basque roots. Nydia strives for inclusivity and diversity in all her creative endeavors. -
Sara E. Echenique
Sara E. Echenique is a Puerto Rican lawyer and children’s author living in South Florida with her three young children, husband, and their Puerto Rican rescue dog, Luna. She acquired a degree in English from Williams College and a law degree from the University of Michigan School of Law. After almost a decade practicing as a litigator in cold New York City, Sara decided to move her family to a place that felt more like her childhood home.
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Roaring Brook Press published her debut middle grade book, Hispanic Star: Roberto Clemente in September 2022 in both English and Spanish, which received a starred review from the School Library Journal and was long listed for the SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund's Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Bett