Ann Braden writes books about kids learning to stand up for themselves even when life is hard. Her debut middle grade novel, THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS, was named one of NPR's Best Books of 2018 and called one of "the essential middle school reads from the last decade" by Edutopia. FLIGHT OF THE PUFFIN sparked a coast-to-coast read aloud with tens of thousands of students taking part, and was a Bank Street Best Book. OPINIONS AND OPOSSUMS was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and INTO THE RAPIDS was named an ALA Notable Book. Her newest novel, HIJACKED BY GOATS, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

Ann founded the Local Love Brigade, which sends love postcards to those who are facing hate. She also founded GunSenseVT, a grassroots group which helped pass landmark common ground gun safety legislation. Previously a middle school teacher, Ann lives in southern Vermont with her husband, two kids, and two insatiable cats.

Find out more on her website: www.annbradenbooks.com