Henry Lien is the author of the critically-acclaimed and bestselling PEASPROUT CHEN middle grade fantasy series (Holt/Macmillan). He is a 2012 graduate of Clarion West Writers Workshop. His short fiction has appeared in publications such as Asimov’s, earning multiple Nebula Award nominations. Born in Taiwan, Henry currently lives in Hollywood. www.henrylien.com
Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and New York Times Bestselling author of 28 books, including THE UNDEFEATED, SWING, and REBOUND, the follow-up to the NEWBERY medal-winning novel, THE CROSSOVER. Kwame is the recipient of numerous awards, including The Coretta Scott King Author Honor, The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Prize, Three NAACP Image Award Nominations, and the 2017 Inaugural Pat Conroy Legacy Award.
Jennifer Torres is the award-winning author of The Fresh New Face of Griselda, Stef Soto, Taco Queen, and other books for young readers. She writes stories inspired, in part, by her Mexican-American heritage. Jennifer lives with her family in Southern California.
Varsha Bajaj is the author of the middle grade novels Count Me In and Abby Spencer Goes to Bollywood, which was shortlisted for the Cybils Award and included in the Spirit of Texas Reading Program. Her picture books include The Home Builders and This is Our Baby, Born Today, a Bank Street Best Book. She grew up in Mumbai, India, and came to the United States to obtain her master’s degree. She now lives in Texas.
