Andrew Elborn Clements (May 29, 1949 – November 28, 2019) was a celebrated American author of children's literature. Born in Camden, New Jersey, he lived in Oaklyn and Cherry Hill until the middle of sixth grade, moving later to Springfield, Illinois. Clements' parents were avid readers, and they instilled a love of books and reading in him and his siblings.

Though reading was a significant part of his life, Andrew did not consider writing as a career during his early years. Summers spent in a cabin on a lake in Maine, without modern distractions, allowed him time to read and ponder quietly, which later influenced his writing style. It was during his senior year in high school that he received praise for a humorous poem, which ignited his interest in writing.

Clements attended Northwestern University, where he majored in literature, and later earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University. He taught in public schools north of Chicago, gaining valuable experience that influenced his future work as a writer.

His debut novel, Frindle, published in 1996, became immensely popular and was awarded the Phoenix Award in 2016 for being the best book that had not won a major award when it was first published. Clements' career as an author of children's books was marked by numerous other acclaimed works, many of which received literary awards.

Andrew Clements' legacy as a beloved author continues, with his books cherished by children and educators alike for their humor, insight, and ability to inspire young readers.