Marie Rutkoski is an acclaimed American children's writer and professor at Brooklyn College. Born on March 5, 1977, in Hinsdale, Illinois, she is the eldest of four siblings. Marie's journey in academia took her from the University of Iowa, where she obtained a B.A. in English with a minor in French, to the prestigious Harvard University, earning her English M.A. and Ph.D. by 2006.

After spending time in Moscow and Prague, and receiving a fellowship at the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London, Marie was inspired to write her first novel, The Cabinet of Wonders. Her career then expanded into teaching in Harvard's English Department and the History and Literature Department, before joining Brooklyn College in 2007.

Marie's writing has garnered significant acclaim, including being named a New York Times bestseller. Her works have received numerous recognitions, such as an Amazon Best Book of the Year, a Kirkus Best Teen Book of the Year, and a Bank Street Book of the Year, along with being a finalist for several state awards. Real Easy, her most recent novel, was a New York Times Best Crime Novel of 2022.

Aside from her professional achievements, Marie enjoys rock climbing, gardening, and delights in flower catalogues and making homemade ice cream. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her family and two cats, Cloud and Firefly.