Renée Watson

Renée Watson is a highly acclaimed author from the United States, known for her work in young adult and children's literature. She has written numerous standalone books, primarily focused on the genres of young adult, children's books, contemporary, romance, and realistic fiction. Watson's writing has received significant recognition, with one of her most famous novels, "A Place Where Hurricanes Happen," gaining particular attention. Published by Random House in June 2010, this novel was featured on NBC's Nightly News, highlighting its impact and relevance.

In addition to her work as an author, Watson is also a passionate educator. She has worked in public schools and community organizations for several years, teaching poetry, fiction, and theater in various locations, including Oregon, Louisiana, and New York City. Watson has a special interest in using the arts to help young people cope with trauma, having facilitated workshops for girls who have experienced sexual and physical abuse, children who have witnessed violence, and those affected by natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti. Watson's commitment to education is further evidenced by her roles as a facilitator of professional development workshops for teachers and artists, as well as her positions on the Council of Writers for the National Writing Project and the Education Advisory Council for the Academy of American Poets.

Watson's work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. Her young adult novel, "Piecing Me Together," received a Coretta Scott King Award and a Newbery Honor. Many of her books, inspired by her experiences growing up as a Black girl in the Pacific Northwest, have received international recognition and have been translated into several languages. Her poetry and fiction often explore themes of home, identity, body image, and the intersections of race, class, and gender. Watson has given readings and lectures at prestigious institutions such as the United Nations, the Library of Congress, and the U.S. Embassies in Japan and New Zealand. She is also the founder of I, Too Arts Collective, a nonprofit organization that hosted poetry workshops for youth and literary events for the community from 2016 to 2019. Watson, who grew up in Portland, Oregon, currently splits her time between Portland and New York City.