Jo Dereske is an American author, best known for her mystery and children's novels. She is the writer of the Miss Zukas series, as well as several young adult books and short stories. Dereske was born in Michigan and grew up with a strong influence from her Lithuanian roots. As a child, she had a desire to write stories, but she believed she needed to leave Michigan to make that dream a reality.
Despite her initial desire to leave Michigan, Dereske has since incorporated her Michigan roots into her fiction. After college, she headed west in search of new experiences to write about. She lived in various places before settling in the foothills of Mount Baker, near Bellingham, Washington. Dereske has worked as a librarian, a profession that she has woven into her Miss Zukas series. Her experience as a librarian has given her a unique perspective on the importance of libraries, even in today's electronic world.
Dereske's Miss Zukas series features a librarian as the main character. The series includes twelve titles, and Miss Zukas is described as a tough, honest, and crafty woman with a deep desire to perceive the world in black and white. Dereske has also written a series of books featuring Ruby Crane, a forgery specialist. The Ruby Crane series includes three books, and Dereske has been fascinated by the subject of forgery since she forged her first absence excuse in fourth grade.
In addition to her Miss Zukas and Ruby Crane series, Dereske has written three books for young people. She has been influenced by authors like Agatha Christie and is particularly interested in the creation of a mystery within a community. Dereske currently resides in Washington State with her husband, and she continues to write and draw inspiration from her Lithuanian heritage and her experiences growing up in Michigan.