Elise Broach is the New York Times bestselling author of Masterpiece , Shakespeare's Secret and Desert Crossing , Missing on Superstition Mountain , the first book in the Superstition Mountain Trilogy, as well as several picture books. Her books have been selected as ALA notable books, Junior Library Guild selections, a Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book, a New York Public Library Best Book for the Teenage, an IRA Teacher's Choice, an E.B. White Read Aloud Award, and nominated for an Edgar Award, among other distinctions. Ms. Broach holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history from Yale University. She was born in Georgia and lives in the woods of rural Connecticut, walking distance from three farms, a library, a post office and two country stores. Barry E.

Jackson works as a designer, director, and writer. His screen credits include films such as The Prince of Egypt , The Nightmare Before Christmas , and The Grinch , and he was one of several production designers for Shrek . Prior to his movie career, Jackson created art for album covers, posters, and magazine editorials. He lives in Studio City, California.