R.J. Palacio, born as Raquel Jaramillo, on July 13, 1963, is an American author and graphic designer. She is best known for her bestselling novel, Wonder, which was adapted into a major motion picture in 2017 starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. Her work has inspired the Choose Kind movement, emphasizing the power of kindness to bring people together.

Before becoming an author, Palacio worked for over twenty years as an art director and graphic designer, designing book jackets while waiting for the perfect moment to write her own novel. This moment came after a chance encounter with an extraordinary child at an ice cream store, leading to the creation of Wonder, her first novel. Although she did not design the cover, she has expressed her love for it.

Palacio resides in NYC with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. She continues to write and has expanded her works to include the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird and the novel Pony, a story of adventure and friendship.