Devon Rohana Galarza lives in Philadelphia. When she's not writing, she works for the Free Library of Philadelphia, where she runs a citywide early literacy initiative for educators. Melanie's Names is her debut. G. Brian Karas is the prolific, versatile, and award-winning illustrator of many books for children, including the beloved Mr. Tiffin’s Classroom series and Are You Going to Be Good? by Cari Best, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book. In addition, he is the illustrator of Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate, Lemonade in Winter by Emily Jenkins, A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards, and Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming, all of which received numerous starred reviews. His author-illustrated picture book Home on the Bayou received a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor. He lives in the Hudson Valley of New York.