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

In 2013, Pierce received the prestigious Margaret A. Edwards Award from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) of the American Library Association. This annual award honors one writer and a particular body of work for making a "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature," specifically citing her quartets Song of the Lioness and Protector of the Small (1999–2002).

Pierce's books have been translated into twenty languages, highlighting her global appeal and influence.