Jacqueline Woodson

‍\nJacqueline Woodson is a highly acclaimed American author, best known for her children's books and young adult novels. Despite growing up with the aspiration to become a teacher, lawyer, or hairdresser, Woodson always knew that writing was her true passion. Her works often explore complex themes such as interracial relationships, teenage pregnancy, and homosexuality, and she enjoys challenging her characters by placing both physical and psychological boundaries for them to overcome. Woodson currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.

Woodson's writing journey began with a love for storytelling and a knack for embellishing the truth. As a child, she often lied to her friends, regaling them with fantastic tales of her own creation. While this behavior earned her some trouble, it also laid the foundation for her future career as an author. Woodson's ability to captivate her audience with her words eventually led her to discover the power of storytelling on the page. Her fifth-grade teacher's positive feedback on a story she had written served as a turning point, encouraging Woodson to continue developing her writing skills and pursue a career in the field.

Throughout her career, Woodson has received numerous accolades for her work, including multiple Newbery Honors, Coretta Scott King Awards, and the Langston Hughes Medal. Her memoir, "Brown Girl Dreaming," won the 2014 National Book Award and was a New York Times Bestseller. Her novel, "Another Brooklyn," was a National Book Award finalist and an Indie Pick in 2016. Woodson has also served as the Young People's Poet Laureate from 2014 to 2016 and has been a fellow at The American Library in Paris. In addition to her work as an author, Woodson occasionally writes for the New York Times and continues to live and work in Brooklyn, New York, with her family.