GENNIFER CHOLDENKO is the author of Newbery Honor book Al Capone Does My Shirts, which was on the New York Times Bestseller list for six months, an ALA BBYA, an ALA Notable book, and received the Sid Fleischman Humor, in addition to other kudos. She graduated from Brandeis University and attended the Rhode Island School of Design. She previously worked at an advertising agency, and has written picture books as well. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and two children. www.choldenko.com