Rebecca Stead, born January 16, 1968, is an acclaimed American writer, particularly known for her work in children's fiction and teen literature. When You Reach Me, her second novel, earned her the prestigious Newbery Medal in 2010, a significant accolade in the realm of children's literature. Her remarkable storytelling abilities were further recognized when she received the Guardian Prize in 2013 for Liar & Spy, awarded to the year's best British children's book by an author who hasn't previously secured the prize.

Stead has penned several other notable works, including First Light, Goodbye Stranger, Bob, and her most recent, The List of Things That Will Not Change. These books have not only captivated young readers worldwide but have also garnered numerous awards, such as the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Fiction and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Residing in New York City, Stead is continually inspired by her surroundings, always in search of her next story idea.