Harris
Quartez Harris is a poet and teaching artist. He was awarded the Baldwin House Fellowship and named Ohio Association’s Poet of the Year for his book, We Made It to School Alive. His poetry has received numerous accolades. Harris spent many years as a second-grade teacher in the Cleveland public school system and currently dedicates […]
Tahmaseb
Ryan Bani Tahmaseb is an author, K-12 academic coach, and curriculum developer. His debut picture book, Rostam’s Picture-Day Pusteen, was published by Charlesbridge in summer 2024, and his debut middle grade book, Persian Mythology, will be published by Running Press Kids in fall 2025. Ryan also writes for adults. His first professional book for educators, […]
Heider
Mary Winn Heider has published 27 books, performed Off-Broadway, worked on a train in Alaska, and ridden her bike around Lake Michigan. Her books have been on state lists, appeared on Bank Street Best Books, received Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection status, been long-listed for the Edgar Award, and landed on Indies Introduce and […]
Cheng
Charlotte Cheng creates stories on rocks, sidewalks, libraries, and once in a while, the good old traditional piece of paper. Charlotte Cheng has written and illustrated a variety of books including Night Market Rescue, Roar-Choo!, I Miss You Most, and BoBo Loves Dumplings. Represented by Red Fox Literary, Charlotte has spoken at a wide variety […]
Moore
Tanisia “Tee” Moore is a revered voice of African American storytelling known affectionately as “your family’s favorite author.” She writes for young people under her own name and in adult contemporary romance as Nisia Roye. The common thread in all her books is her deep love of sharing life lessons embedded in Black culture. Tee’s […]
Couch
Robbie Couch is a Los Angeles-based young-adult author who is originally from Michigan. His books range from speculative to contemporary fiction, focus on queer characters and themes, and have all been published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. If I See You Again Tomorrow, his New York Times bestselling third novel, has received […]
Hayden
Chaz Hayden is a YA author and disability awareness advocate. His works include the 2024 release of Diet Soda Club, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and 2025 Children’s Book Council Top 10 Teacher Favorite, and his 2022 debut novel The First Thing About You. He focuses on contemporary themes, highlighting the experiences of […]
Chan
Michelle Jing Chan (she/her) is a queer Chinese American author-illustrator who studied engineering and economics, but now creates books and comics for kids and teens. She gravitates towards empowering stories that celebrate diversity and self-acceptance –books she would have loved to read as a kid. Michelle’s books have earned awards from the Children’s Book Council, […]
Shannon Smith
Nikki Shannon Smith is an educator, presenter, and the award-winning author of nearly 30 published and forthcoming books, ranging from board books to young adult novels. Her middle grade novel STRANDED (Scholastic) is a nominee for both the 2026 Georgia Children’s Book Award and the Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award. She also wrote the Azaleah […]
Toalson
R.L. (Rachel) Toalson is the award-winning author of multiple prose and poetry novels for young people, including the middle grade books The Colors of the Rain, The Woods, The First Magnificent Summer, Something Maybe Magnificent, The Unforgettable Leta “Lightning” Laurel, and the forthcoming My Brother Oliver, (Simon & Schuster, May 2026), as well as several […]