Faculty Bios

Arthur Levine is the publisher of Arthur A. Levine Books and a vice president of Scholastic Inc. His imprint publishes a list of literary hardcover books for young readers, and his authors include Lisa Yee, Roddy Doyle, J.K. Rowling, Jonah Winter, and Shaun Tan. He is also proud to be publishing many bright new authors such as Francisco Stork, Elizabeth Bunce, and Kevin Emerson. Prior to establishing his imprint at Scholastic, Levine held the position of editor in chief of Books for Young Readers at Alfred A. Knopf and at G. P. Putnam's Sons.

Ginger Knowlton, Vice President at Curtis Brown, Ltd., represents authors and illustrators of children's books in all genres, as well as a few adult book authors. Her list includes Newbery Medalists, Newbery Honor and Printz Honor winners, Edgar and Lambda winners, a Sibert and Orbis Pictus winner, New York Times bestsellers, and a host of other delightful and talented clients. Ginger's career at Curtis Brown began in 1986 when she was an assistant to Marilyn Marlow, one of the first literary agents to specialize in children's books in the 1960s. Before joining the company, Ginger worked in the field of early childhood education in Sacramento and Mendocino, California.  She has served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Authors' Representatives and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Library in her hometown in Westchester County.

Lisa Yee was pulled out of the slush pile by Arthur Levine. Five-ish years ago she was unpublished. Today she's the author of Millicent Min, Girl Genius, Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time and So Totally Emily Ebers, plus Good Luck, Ivy, an American Girl historical novel. Her debut young adult novel, Absolutely Maybe, and the first chapter book of a series will be out this year. Lisa is the winner of the Sid Fleischman Humor Award and a Thurber House Children’s Writer-in-Residence. And she travels with a Peep.

Mark Teague’s eureka moment occurred when a move from San Diego to New York City planted the seed for his first picture book, The Trouble with the Johnsons. Teague is perhaps best known for his “How Do Dinosaurs…” books, created with Jane Yolen. He has also collaborated with such critically acclaimed authors as Anne Isaacs, Audrey Wood, and Cynthia Rylant. With Pancakes for Supper!, he updates a classic story by matching Caldecott Honor Winner Anne Isaac’s rollicking, rhythmic text with hilarious art. Mark Teague, who designed the poster for the 2005 National Children’s Book Week, lives in Coxsackie, New York, with his wife, Laura, and his daughters, Lily and Ava.

Joyce Sweeney is the author of thirteen novels for young adults. Her first novel, Center Line won the First Annual Delacorte Press Prize for an Outstanding Young Adult Novel. Many of her books appear on the American Library Association's Best Books List and Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers. Her novel Shadow won the Nevada State Reading Award in 1997. Her novel Players was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Sports Book and by Working Mother magazine as a Top Ten for Tweens. Her current novel, Headlock (Holt 2006), won a Silver Medal in the 2006 Florida Book Awards and was chosen by the American Library Association as a Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. Joyce also writes shorts stories and poetry. Her first chapter book, Impermanence, was published in 2008 by Finishing Line Press. Joyce conducts two ongoing workshops in creative writing which have so far produced twenty-four published authors. She lives in Coral Springs, Florida, with her husband Jay and cat, Phantom.

Tina Wexler is an agent at International Creative Management (ICM), representing writers in both the children’s and adult marketplace.  She is primarily interested in acquiring young adult and middle grade fiction.  She enjoys tall tales, mysteries, coming of age stories, and adventure stories with boy appeal.  Clients include Jeannine Garsee, Donna Gephart, Sara Lewis Holmes, James Kennedy, Sanjay Patel, Susan Runholt, Laurel Snyder, and Anne Ursu (children’s market only).  She is from southern Maine, holds an MFA in poetry, and lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband.

Alexandra Cooper is an editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, where she works on hardcover trade picture books, middle-grade fiction, non-fiction, and young adult novels. For almost four years, she worked under David Gale, with whom she was privileged to edit such YA authors as Rachel Cohn, Ellen Wittlinger, Sonya Sones, Pete Hautman, and Alex Sanchez. Some of her own titles include Escaping into the Night by Dina Friedman, Huge by Sasha Paley, and Bear of My Heart by Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Margie Moore.

Liz Waniewski is an editor at Dial Books for Young Readers, which is an imprint of the Penguin Young Readers Group. She edits picture books as well as middle grade and young adult novels. Some of the recent books she edited include Ladybug Girl by Jacky Davis and David Soman, Boost by Kathy Mackel, March Toward the Thunder by Joseph Bruchac, and Something Wicked by Alan Gratz.

Elaine Landau has written over 300 nonfiction books for both children and young adults. Some of the topics she's covered include dinosaurs, legends of the Wild West, scary animals, ancient civilizations, the supernatural, holidays, firefighting, and a broad range of contemporary issues. Newsweek magazine described her book The Statue of Liberty as "a standout for kids." Ms. Landau has received numerous honors for her work. Most recently, her book Big Cats was a 2008 winner of the Children's Book Council's Children's Choice Book Award.

Debbie Reed Fischer worked for many years as a model booker in Miami, where the daily dramas of the weird and the beautiful inspired her to write her first teen novel Braless in Wonderland (Dutton). Her second book, Swimming with the Sharks (Flux/ Llewellyn) was released in September. Debbie is an SCBWI success story, as she met both her agent and her editor at the same Florida SCBWI conference. She currently lives in Boynton Beach, Florida, with her husband and two kids. Visit her at www.debbiereedfischer.com. 

Linda Sue Park still has days when she can hardly believe that her book A Single Shard was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2002. She has written both picture books and novels for young people, as well as poetry and short fiction for adults. Her most recent books are Tap Dancing on the Roof, a collection of poetry, and Keeping Score, a baseball story set during the time of the Korean War. You can visit her website at www.lindasuepark.com and read her blog at lsparkreader.livejournal.com.

Gaby Triana is the author of critically-acclaimed young adult novels, Backstage Pass, Cubanita, The Temptress Four, and the upcoming Riding the Universe (HarperCollins, 2009). Backstage Pass was selected as a 2006 IRA Teen Choice, and Cubanita became an ALA Popular Paperback in 2008. Formerly a 4th grade teacher, she now spends her time writing, entertaining, decorating professional cakes, kickboxing, and serving as Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI Florida. She lives in Miami with her husband, their four children, and has just completed her supernatural novel, Wake the Hollow. For bio, pics, and more, visit www.gabytriana.com.

Marjetta Geerling is the author of Fancy White Trash, a young adult novel from Viking Children's Books.  Originally from California and a graduate of the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, she now lives in Miami Beach, FL. Visit her at www.marjettageerling.com.

As a fifth grader, Danette Haworth told her sister she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Now Danette is the author of Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning and the upcoming novels The Hotel of Blueberry Goodness (2010) and Me and Jack (2011).Visit her website at www.danettehaworth.com or check out her blog at www.summerfriend.blogspot.com.

Ruth VanderZee is the author of critically-acclaimed picture books for older readers, Erika’s Story, Mississippi Morning, Eli Remembers, and Always with You. It was at the kitchen table of her childhood home where Ruth’s love of story was kindled. Her father had the ability to make each day’s activities sound like an ongoing novella. Ruth filled her home with her own tales while raising three children. At the age of forty, she decided to get her college degree in education and later began writing stories for children. Ruth has spent a lifetime connecting to people through music, storytelling, facilitating groups, speaking at conferences, and hosting people in her home. She taught middle school for many years and is currently substitute teaching. Ruth and her husband Vern have four grandchildren and have lived in four major cities in the U.S. and have traveled many places in the world. Visit her at www.ruthvanderzee.com.

Dorian Cirrone is the author of several books including the teen novels, Prom Kings and Drama Queens and Dancing in Red Shoes Will Kill You, as well as the Lindy Blues chapter books, The Missing Silver Dollar and The Big Scoop. Her poems, shorts stories, and essays for children and adults have been published in literary journals and anthologies. Most recently, her short story, “Riding the Wave,” can be found in the anthology Lay-ups and Long Shots. Dorian holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in English and has taught writing at the university level and at several conferences. To learn more, visit her website at www.doriancirrone.com.