Brenda Woods (www.brendawoods.net) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, raised in southern California, and attended California State University, Northridge. She is the award-winning author of several books for young readers: Coretta Scott King Honor winner┬аThe Red Rose Box,┬аSaint Louis Armstrong Beach,┬аVOYA┬аTop Shelf Fiction selection┬аEmako Blue,┬аMy Name is Sally Little Song, and┬аA Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her numerous awards and honors include the Judy Lopez Memorial Award, FOCAL award, Pen Center USAтАЩs Literary Award finalist, IRA ChildrenтАЩs Choice Young Adult Fiction Award, and ALA Quick Pick. She lives in the Los Angeles area.