John Corey Whaley, born on January 19, 1984, is an acclaimed American author known for his contemporary fiction novels aimed at young adults. His literary journey began with his debut novel, Where Things Come Back, which garnered the prestigious Printz Award from the American Library Association in 2012, marking it as the year's "best book written for teens." Following this success, his second novel, Noggin, solidified Whaley's place in the literary world by being a finalist for the 2014 National Book Award for Young People's Literature and securing a spot on Time Magazine's list of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time.

Whaley's roots trace back to Springhill, Louisiana, where he grew from a young storyteller fascinated by aliens and underwater civilizations into a celebrated author with a flair for realistic YA fiction, occasionally sprinkled with zombies. Armed with a B.A. in English from Louisiana Tech University and an M.A in Secondary English Education, he ventured into public schooling for five years, weaving dreams of becoming a full-time writer amidst dodging crafty projectiles from his students. An occasional kayaker and bongo player, Whaley's interests extend beyond the written word, embracing movies, music, and the thrill of traveling. Known for his picky eating habits, he remains a vibrant figure in the literary community, continually exploring new narratives and ideas.