Raúl the Third is the Pura Belpre award winning author illustrator of Lowriders to the Center of the Earth from Chronicle Books. He is the author of Vamos! Let’s go to the Market and Vamos! Let’s go Eat from Versify books and Houghton-Mifflin. Lowriders in Space his first graphic novel by Cathy Camper was nominated […]

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell, Ray Jayawardhana investigates the origins and diversity of planetary systems and the prospects for life in the universe, using many of the world’s largest telescopes. He is a prolific researcher with more than 125 scientific papers to his credit, whose discoveries have garnered widespread attention. […]

MAX BRALLIER is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of more than 30 books for children and adults. His books and series include The Last Kids on Earth, which has been adapted for a Netflix animated series, Eerie Elementary, Mister Shivers, Galactic Hot Dogs, and Can YOU Survive the […]

Mayra Cuevas is the author of the YA contemporary #OwnVoices romcom Salty, Bitter, Sweet (Blink/HarperCollins). Her short story Resilient will be published as part of the anthology FORESHADOW: The Magic of Reading & Writing YA (Algonquin Young Readers). Mayra was born and raised in Puerto Rico and now lives in Norcross, GA. She works as […]

Meg Medina is a Newbery award-winning and New York Times best-selling author who writes picture books, as well as middle grade and young adult fiction. Her works have been called “heartbreaking,” “lyrical” and “must haves for every collection.” She lives with her family in Richmond, Va.

Melanie Conklin grew up in North Carolina and worked as a product designer for ten years before she began her writing career. Her debut middle grade novel, Counting Thyme, is a Bank Street Best Children’s Book, winner of the International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choice Award, and nominated to four state reading lists. Her second novel […]

Michaela Goade is an artist and graphic designer living and working in Juneau, Alaska, where she was also raised. Forever inspired by the coastal wilds of Southeast Alaska, she works to capture its magic and honor its vibrant cultures. Michaela is from the Raven moiety and Kiks.ádi Clan from Sitka, Alaska. She has illustrated Encounter […]

Mike Jung is the author of Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities, Unidentified Suburban Object, and The Boys in the Back Row, and contributed to the anthologies Dear Teen Me, Break These Rules, 59 Reasons to Write, (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, and The Hero Next Door. He is a library professional by day, a writer by […]

Mahogany L. Browne is a writer, organizer & educator. Interim Executive Director of Urban Word NYC & Poetry Coordinator at St. Francis College. Browne has received fellowships from Agnes Gund, Air Serenbe, Cave Canem, Poets House, Mellon Research & Rauschenberg. She is the author of Woke: A Young Poets Call to Justice, Woke Baby & […]

Marcie Colleen is the award-winning author of the Super Happy Party Bears chapter book series, and picture books Love, Triangle, and Penguinaut! While she misses living down the street from the Brooklyn Bear’s Community Garden in New York City, Marcie now lives in San Diego, California, where flowers bloom all year round. Visit her website […]