Joan Donaldson is the author of two picture books, two young adult novels, and an essay collection. Her last novel, On Viney's Mountain won the 2010 Friends of American Writers Award, represented the State of Tennessee at the 2010 National Book Festival, and appeared on the Bank Street List of the Best Books of 2010. She received a Master of Fine Arts from Spalding University, and earns her living growing organic blueberries.