Wendelin Van Draanen is an acclaimed American writer, celebrated for her significant contributions to children's and young-adult fiction. She has penned more than thirty novels that have captivated young readers and teens alike. Among her most notable works is the 18-book Sammy Keyes series, which has garnered the prestigious Edgar Award. Her novel Flipped stands out as a Top 100 Children’s Novel for the 21st Century by School Library Journal (SLJ) and was adapted into a feature film directed by Rob Reiner.

Her book The Running Dream was recognized with the American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award for its authentic portrayal of the disability experience. Van Draanen’s latest work, Hope in the Mail, is part memoir, part writing guide, designed to inspire and guide aspiring writers to chase their dreams. Additionally, she has authored two short chapter-book series, The Gecko & Sticky books and the Shredderman books, both of which are perfect for reluctant readers and are enjoyable read-alouds.