Brenda Woods (www.brendawoods.net) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, grew up in southern California, and attended California State University, Northridge. Her award-winning books for young readers include The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond (a CCBC choice and a Kirkus Best Book), Coretta Scott King Honor winner The Red Rose Box, ALAN Pick Saint Louis Armstrong Beach, and VOYA Top Shelf Fiction selection Emako Blue. Her numerous awards and honors include the Judy Lopez Memorial Award, FOCAL award, Pen Center USA’s Literary Award finalist, IRA Children’s Choice Young Adult Fiction Award, and ALA Quick Pick. She lives in the Los Angeles area.