Yuksel, M.O.

Yuksel, M.O

M.O. Yuksel is the award-winning author of the critically acclaimed picture books IN MY MOSQUE, illustrated by Hatem Aly (HarperCollins, 2021), and ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University, illustrated by Mariam Quraishi (HarperCollins, 2022). Her forthcoming books include RAMADAN KAREEM, illustrated by Hatem Aly, SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT: An Eid Al-Adha Story, illustrated by Huseyin Sonmezay (Charlesbridge, 2024), and PRINCE OF STARS: Ulugh Beg’s Quest to Map the Stars and Seasons, illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia (HarperCollins, 2025). Learn more about her at www.moyuksel.com.

Awards

M.O. Yuksel’s books have won several awards including an American Library Association Notable Book, a School Library Journal Best Book, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, an American Library Association Rise Honoree, a National Council of Social Studies and Children’s Book Council Notable Book, Notable Books for a Global Society Award, Nerdy Book Club Award for Best Nonfiction Picture Book, Texas Library Association Texas Topaz Nonfiction Gem Award, and Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year.

3 Fun Facts

1. She lived on three continents and crossed two multiple times in one day! (Hint-hint: Istanbul, Türkiye, the city that spans two continents).
2. She speaks three languages – English, Turkish, Uzbek, and understands several – Spanish, Azeri, Kazak, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, Uyghur.
3. If she had her way, she’d eat dessert first at every meal (but don’t tell her kids!).

Yum, Hyewon

Yum, Hyewon

Hyewon Yum is an author and illustrator of many picture books, including Saturday Is Swimming Day, which won a Charlotte Zolotow Honor. She has two sons who hate haircuts. She also doesn’t like haircuts, but she’s never told her kids that. She lives in Brooklyn with her roaring family. www.hyewonyum.com

3 Fun Facts

1. Doesn’t like getting a haircut
2. Was pooped by birds, TWICE!
3. Bad at grammar(her son told her)

Young, Brigit

Young, Brigit

Brigit Young is the author of the middle grade novels Worth a Thousand Words, The Prettiest, and Bright. The Prettiest was featured on Seventeen Magazine’s 50 Books for Teens That You Won’t Be Able to Put Down and NBC News’ 9 Books to Help Young Girls Build a Positive Image. Brigit has also published poetry in multiple literary journals including The Common, 2 River View, and Burrow Press. She lives with her family in New Jersey where she gardens, plays pretend with her toddler, and teaches creative writing workshops to kids.  brigityoung.com

Awards/Honors
– Bank Street Best Books
– Starred reviews
– Chicago Public Library Best Books
– Italy’s Andersen Award Best Book for 12-14 year olds
– Junior Library Guild selection

3 Fun Facts

1. I have a crested gecko named June Dolly (her middle name is in honor of Dolly Parton).
2. I met my husband when we acted together in a short kissing scene on a soap opera!
3. When I was a kid I was obsessed with orcas and did school reports on them pretty much every year. I wanted to be an orca trainer or researcher, and to this day I dream of seeing one in the wild!

Yoon, Salina

Yoon, Salina

Salina Yoon is a Geisel Honor-winning author/illustrator of novelty books, early readers, and picture books, including her beloved seven-book Penguin series that begins with PENGUIN AND PINECONE, celebrating its 10th year with a special edition releasing Nov 1, 2022. PENGUIN AND PENELOPE, the latest in the Penguin series, releases on Sept 6, 2022, which features another heartwarming story celebrating unlikely friendships, the challenges of growing up, and finding your own way.

Other awards include the Award for Excellence in a Picture Book for FOUND, the New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award for PENGUIN AND PINECONE, Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award for DUCK DUCK PORCUPINE, and many more. You can read more about Salina and her books at: www.salinayoon.com

Most recent award was the 2018 Geisel Honor for MY KITE IS STUCK AND OTHER STORIES (A Duck Duck Porcupine! Book)
2018 Honor Award: Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award for BE A FRIEND.
2017 Maryland Blue Crab Young Reader Award in the Beginner Fiction category: DUCK DUCK PORCUPINE!
2017 VA Readers’ Choice, FOUND

3 Fun Facts

Penguins have been following me my whole life. Here’s 3 pieces of evidence:

1. My first job was working as a frozen yogurt dispenser, at Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt!
2. My first major book deal was with Penguin Publishing (now called Penguin Random House).
3. My most well known character is Penguin, from the Penguin series!

Yolen, Jane

Yolen, Jane

Jane Yolen, often called “the Hans Christian Andersen of America,” celebrated her 365th published book in 2018. She is now up to somewhere in the 430 range, with her eye on 500. Her works, which range from very young rhymed picture books to novels for adults and every genre in between. She lives in Massachusetts in the winter and Scotland in the summer. She writes every day.  www.janeyolen.com

Awards

Two Nebulas, a World Fantasy Award, the Caldecott, the Golden Kite, three Mythopoeic awards, two Christopher Medals, the Jewish Book Award, the Kerlan Award, the Sophie Brodie Medal, MA Book Honors, and the Catholic Library’s Regina Medal, as well as six honorary doctorates.

3 Fun Facts

1. All three of her children and two of her grands have published books.
2. In 1963, her first picture book (though not her first book) SEE THIS LITTLE LINE was published. This year, her book SEE THIS LITTLE DOT was published.
3. One of her awards set her good coat on fire.

Yee, Lisa

Yee, Lisa

Lisa Yee’s debut, Millicent Min, Girl Genius, won the prestigious Sid Fleischman Humor Award. Her 17 novels include Warp Speed, Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time, the Bobby series, and several American Girl books including the 2016 Lea Clark series. Lisa’s books have been named a NPR Best Summer Read, Sports Illustrated Kids Hot Summer Read, and USA Today Critics’ Top Pick.

The Kidney Hypothetical is Lisa’s latest novel for teens. She is the author of the DC Super Hero Girls middle grade novel series featuring Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and the most recent, Batgirl at Super Hero High. Visit Lisa at www.lisayee.com.

3 Fun Facts

1. My collection of Winnie-the-Poohs is in a museum in Canada.
2. I always write my endings first.
3. Ate grubs as part of research for a book.

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