As the mother of one child with brain cancer and another with ADHD, Shannon Stocker is passionate about advocating for children with disabilities. She’s authored picture books such as the 2023 ALA Schneider Family Book Award winner Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion and Warrior: A Patient’s Courageous Quest, among others. Although Shannon completed medical school, her own disability (RSD/CRPS) prevented her from doing a residency—a plot twist for which she is now grateful. She believes that whether or not everything happens for a reason, we all feel broken sometimes … but it is also possible to become stronger at the seams. Shannon lives in Louisville, KY with her husband Greg, her children Cassidy and Tye, way too many critters, and a hidden stash of dark chocolate. Stronger at the Seams is her debut YA novel.