Brenda Woods was born in Ohio, grew up in Southern California, and attended California State University, Northridge. Her award-winning books for young readers includeThe Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond(a CCBC choice and aKirkus ReviewsBest Book); the Coretta Scott King Honor winnerThe Red Rose Box;the ALAN PickSaint Louis Armstrong Beach;andVOYATop Shelf Fiction selectionEmako Blue. Woods's numerous awards and honors include the Judy Lopez Memorial Book Award, the FOCAL International Award, and the ILA Children's Choice Young Adult Fiction Award. She lives in the Los Angeles area. To learn more, visit brendawoods.net.