Libby Gleeson AO is a popular and highly acclaimed writer who has published over twenty books for children and teenagers, including Eleanor, Elizabeth, I Am Susannah, Dodger, Love Me, Love Me Not and the Hannah series.She has been shortlisted for the CBCA Awards thirteen times and won an award three times: in 1997 for Hannah and the Tomorrow Room; in 2002, with illustrator Armin Greder, for An Ordinary Day; and in 2007, with illustrator Freya Blackwood, for Amy and Louis. The Great Bear (with Armin Greder) won the Bologna Ragazzi in 2000, the first time an Australian title has won this prestigious award. Her most recent publication with Allen & Unwin is I Am Thomas (with Armin Greder), published in 2011.

Libby has been a teacher and lecturer and is active in writers' organisations, chairing the Australian Society of Authors 1999-2001. She is currently a director of the Public Education Foundation and of The Copyright Agency Limited, and chair of WestWords, the Western Sydney Children's and Youth Literature project. In 2007, Libby was awarded membership to the Order of Australia for her services to literature. See also Libby's website: www.libbygleeson.com.au