Elise Broach is the New York Times bestselling author of books for children and young adults, including Desert Crossing, Masterpiece, and Shakespeare's Secret, as well as several picture books. Her books have been selected as ALA notable books, Junior Library Guild selections, an E. B. White Read Aloud Award, and nominated for an Edgar Award, among other distinctions. Ms. Broach holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history from Yale University. She was born in Georgia and lives in the woods of rural Connecticut, walking distance from three farms, a library, a post office and two country stores. Antonio Javier Caparo has illustrated many books for children, including the Magic Thief series and The Young Reader's Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream. He lives in Montreal, Canada.