Tamora Pierce is an American writer of fantasy fiction for teenagers, best known for stories featuring young heroines. She gained recognition with her first book series, The Song of the Lioness (1983–1988), which followed the main character Alanna through the trials and triumphs of training as a knight.

In 2013, Pierce won the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) of the American Library Association. This prestigious award recognized her two quartets, Song of the Lioness and Protector of the Small (1999–2002), for their significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.

Pierce's books have been translated into twenty languages, making her works accessible to a global audience.