Kathryn Erskine is an acclaimed American writer of children's literature. She is best known for her novel Mockingbird, which won the prestigious 2010 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, as well as the 2012 Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award.

Before embarking on her writing career, Erskine spent many years as a lawyer. She realized her passion for storytelling and decided to venture into writing stories that people might enjoy reading. Having grown up in various parts of the world, Erskine attended eight different schools, her favorite being a castle-like school in Scotland. She often draws inspiration from her childhood experiences and the experiences she shares with her children.