Jennifer Richard Jacobson is an accomplished author with a prolific career spanning three decades, writing award-winning fiction and nonfiction for children across multiple genres. Her diverse body of work includes picture books such as "This Is My Room (No Tigers Allowed)" and "Oh, Chickadee!," chapter book series like "Andy Shane" and "Twig and Turtle," and middle grade novels including "Small as an Elephant," "Paper Things," "The Dollar Kids," and "Crashing in Love." She has also penned young adult novels such as "The Complete History of Why I Hate Her" and "Stained." Her works have earned numerous accolades, including ALA Best Books for Young Adults, Publishers Weekly Best Books, and Parents Choice Gold Awards, among others.
Born into a family of educators, Jacobson initially pursued teaching before dedicating herself to writing. Her early passion for storytelling emerged through diary-keeping and winning the Edith Bird Bass Essay Contest in high school. After studying children’s literature in college, she balanced teaching and administrative roles while honing her craft. A pivotal moment came when she immersed herself in reviewing hundreds of picture books, which deepened her understanding of narrative structure and voice. This experience led to her first published work, "A Net of Stars," marking the beginning of her successful career. Jacobson’s writing often explores themes of resilience, social justice, and personal growth, resonating with young readers and critics alike. She resides in mid-coast Maine with her husband.