Jerdine Nolen is the beloved author of many award-winning books, including Big Jabe ; Thunder Rose , a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book; and Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life , a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, all illustrated by Kadir Nelson. She is also the author of Eliza's Freedom Road , illustrated by Shadra Strickland, which was an ALA/YALSA Best Fiction Nominee for Young Adults; Raising Dragons , illustrated by Elise Primavera, which received the Christopher Award; and Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm , illustrated by Mark Buehner, which was made into a movie by the same name. Her other books include Calico Girl , a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, and Irene's Wish , illustrated by A.G. Ford, which Kirkus Reviews called "delightful and memorable" in a starred review. Ms. Nolen is an educator and lives in Ellicott City, Maryland. James E.

Ransome's Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis was called "a warm tribute" by Kirkus Reviews and "highly recommended" by School Library Journal , both in starred reviews. His highly acclaimed illustrations for Before She Was Harriet received the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. His other award-winning titles include the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor Book The Bell Rang , Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor Book Uncle Jed's Barbershop , Reading Rainbow Book Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt , and Let My People Go , winner of the NAACP Image Award. James is also a recipient of the ALA Children's Literature Legacy Award. He is on the faculty at the School of Visual Arts in the MFA Illustration Visual Essay program. James frequently collaborates with his wife, author Lesa Cline-Ransome. They live in New York's Hudson Valley region with their family. Visit James at JamesRansome.

com.