Hesse, Karen: - Karen Hesse is the author of many books for young people, including Out of the Dust, winner of the Newbery Medal, Letters from Rifka, Brooklyn Bridge, Phoenix Rising, Sable and Lavender. In addition to the Newbery, she has received honors including the Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award, the MacArthur Fellowship "Genius" Award and the Christopher Award, and was nominated for a National Jewish Book Award. Born in Baltimore, Hesse graduated from the University of Maryland. She and her husband Randy live in Vermont.

Glass, Andrew: - Andrew Glass is the author and illustrator of many books for children, including the Newbery Honor books Graven Images: Three Stories by Paul Fleischman and The Wish Giver: Three Tales of Coven Tree by Bill Brittain. Andrew lives in Manhattan with his wife and daughter.