Malorie Blackman is a renowned British writer, known for her contribution to children's and young adult literature. She was born on 8 February 1962 and served as the Children's Laureate from 2013 to 2015. Blackman is acclaimed for using science fiction to delve into social and ethical issues, most notably through her Noughts and Crosses series, which explores themes of racism within a fictional alternative Britain. Her distinguished career has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2022 PEN Pinter Prize.