Patricia Reilly Giff (b. 1935) grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She is the author of the popular Polk Street Mystery series, as well as several award-winning novels for middle-grade readers. After graduating from Marymount College, Giff taught reading for twenty years before writing her first novel. Many of her books are ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Books and ALA-YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, including Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods, for which Giff won Newbery Honors. Giff lives in Weston, Connecticut, with her husband.