Derrick Barnes (derrickdbarnes.com) is the author of the empowering New York Times bestsellers The Queen of Kindergarten, The King of Kindergarten, and I Am Every Good Thing, which won the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award and the Kirkus Prize, and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Honor, the Kirkus Prize, and the Ezra Jack Keats Award. He also wrote the bestselling chapter book series Ruby and the Booker Boys. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and their four sons.

Courtney Lovett (courtneylovett.com) was born and raised in Maryland. Since she could pick up a pencil, not a day has passed where Courtney did not draw, a sketchbook on her person wherever she went. She has since pursued an education in illustration and animation. Today, she still lives in her hometown, where she illustrates books including titles Join the Club, Maggie Diaz, and Basketball Dreams written by NBA all-star Chris Paul. When she is not making books, she teaches at a local art studio.