Mary Casanova is the author of the Girl of the Year 2012 books McKenna and McKenna, Ready to Fly! She drew upon her own childhood experiences to write the stories of this determined girl who learns to how reach for her goals. Mary is an avid reader now, but it wasn't always that way. She was good at reading aloud in class, but like McKenna®, she often struggled to understand what she read. Mary loved to start a new book, but she found it a challenge to finish one. Now, as the award-winning author of over two dozen books for young readers - including Jess, Chrissa, and Chrissa Stands Strong for American Girl® - Mary is passionate about writing stories that kids can't put down.