Christina Minaki is a published novelist and social justice educator, public speaker and former librarian. She holds an M.A. in Education, specializing in Disability Studies, and a Masters in Information Studies. Burning the Boats is her second novel. Her first, Zoe's Extraordinary Holiday Adventures (Second Story Press, 2007), was chosen by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), as one of two books in Canada to be on their 2009 list of Outstanding Books for People with Disabilities. Christina's M.A.

thesis focused on the importance of transformative, anti-ableist change in portrayals of disability in fiction for all ages. Visit her website and blog, at www.christinaminaki.com.