Milton Meltzer (1915-2009) was the author of 110 books, five of which were nominated for the National Book Award. With Langston Hughes, he coauthored A Pictorial History of African Americans, now in its sixth edition. He received the 2001 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contribution to children's literature, the 1986 Jane Addams Peace Association Children's Book Award, and the 2000 Regina Medal. He lived in New York City.