Gennifer Choldenko is a well-established author, particularly known for her work in children's and young adult literature. She has been writing for many years and has built an impressive backlog of work throughout her career. Choldenko is celebrated for her wit and her warm sense of humor, which she brings to her narratives, giving them life and meaning. She has a knack for offering insight into the minds of her characters, which allows her young readers to relate to them at a deeper level. Her clear understanding and handling of subject matter make her stories accessible and engaging for her audience.\n \n Choldenko's love for writing is deeply rooted in her family history, with Irish storytellers on her father's side and theatre people on her mother's. She obtained a BA in English and American Literature from Brandeis University and a BFA in illustration from Rhode Island School of Design. However, she believes that her love for writing is probably due to her genes. Despite always knowing that she loved to write, it took her a long time to muster up the courage to pursue her dream. She tried various jobs, from selling lingerie, lipstick, and lamp shades to teaching visually and hearing-impaired kids horseback riding, before finally deciding to chase her dream.\n \n Choldenko's novel "Al Capone Does My Shirts" is one of her most famous works, garnering 20 awards, including the Newbery Honor. The Tales of Alcatraz series, of which "Al Capone Does My Shirts" is a part, has sold more than 2 million copies. Her novel "One Third Nerd," which is due out in January 2019, is her funniest novel yet. Choldenko is a fitness fanatic, a book-obsessed, tennis-playing woman who thinks like a twelve-year-old. She loves the infinite possibility of storytelling and the joy it brings her. If she ever has the good fortune to meet her readers, she would appreciate an offer of coffee, as she believes it would make her a friend for life.