The Sherlock Society

James Ponti is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of four middle grade book series, including City Spies and The Sherlock Society. His novels have been named to forty-five state award lists, optioned by Hollywood, and translated into fifteen languages. He’s a two-time Edgar Award nominee, winning in 2018 for Vanished. James lives with his family in Orlando, Florida.

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Trenton Lee Stewart is a contemporary novelist and short-story writer, best known as the author of The Mysterious Benedict Society series of bestselling young adult novels. Described by Kirkus Reviews as “entertainingly quirky” and “hung about with cantrips to catch clever readers,” Stewart’s writing is known for its cerebral playfulness—full of wordplay and mental puzzles that invite readers to solve them alongside the characters. His series has gained widespread popularity among both students and teachers.

Additionally, his stories have appeared in several literary magazines, including The Georgia Review, Shenandoah, The Virginia Quarterly Review, and The New England Review. His short story “Moriah” was recognized as a “Distinguished Story of 2003” in The Best American Short Stories 2004, published by Houghton Mifflin and guest edited by Lorrie Moore.

The Great Shelby Holmes

Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before moving to New York City to work in the publishing industry. As a publicist, she had the opportunity to work with incredible authors—and once even played basketball while dressed as Clifford the Big Red Dog. Life as a full-time author has proven to be just as exciting (and occasionally just as embarrassing), whether she's researching the best chocolate chip cookie in New York or learning how to pick a lock.

Elizabeth is the author of novels for teens and young readers, including the internationally bestselling YA titles The Lonely Hearts Club and Better Off Friends, as well as the acclaimed Great Shelby Holmes middle-grade series. Her latest release is Scared Silly #2: Zombie Wedding Crashers.

She now lives in London, where she enjoys long walks around her favorite city in the world—and eating all the scones. ALL of them.

Brain Bogglers

Stephanie Warren Drimmer is an award-winning author of nonfiction children’s books for National Geographic Kids, Scholastic, Britannica, and other publishers. Her work has been featured in TED-Ed videos, and she has appeared on television, including the History Channel’s Modern Marvels. Stephanie is also a regular contributor to National Geographic Kids magazine and several Scholastic publications, including Science World.

She holds a master’s degree in science journalism from New York University’s Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting Program (SHERP), and a bachelor’s degree in Biological Anthropology from the University of California, San Diego.

Funny Fill in One

Originally from Northern British Columbia and Southern Ontario, respectively, Lindsay Anderson and Dana VanVeller first met around an Okanagan campfire in 2011. They quickly became close friends and, just a year later, began planning Feast—a storytelling project that allowed them to celebrate and explore Canada’s vibrant and diverse food culture. As avid cooks, writers, and photographers, the duo brought a unique perspective to the culinary landscape of their country.

Lindsay Anderson has held various roles at the National Geographic Society since 2016, including her current position as Director of Science & Innovation Programs. Before that, she worked with both National Geographic and Goodwill Industries. Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Michigan State University.

The Misfits

Lisa Yee, a third-generation Chinese American, is the daughter of two public school teachers and was born and raised in Los Angeles. Her groundbreaking debut, Millicent Min, Girl Genius, introduced one of the first Asian American protagonists in contemporary children’s literature. Since then, Lisa has published over twenty books!

Her work spans both YA and middle grade, including the Bobby Ellis-Chan series—illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat—and the popular DC Super Hero Girls novels.

Lisa’s critically acclaimed novel, Maizy Chen’s Last Chance, has received numerous honors: it’s a Newbery Honor Book, a National Book Award Finalist, and the winner of the Asian Pacific American Award for Children's Literature. The story follows Maizy, a Chinese American girl who uncovers long-hidden family secrets. As she pieces together the past, she discovers a tale filled with surprises, heart, and stories within stories—celebrating food, fortune, and family. Middle grade novel series. Lisa's novel, the critically acclaimed Maizy Chen’s Last Chance is a Newbery Honor book, National Book Award Finalist, and the winner of the Asian Pacific American Children's Literature Award. It features a Chinese American girl who's been kept in the dark about her family history. When Maizy shines a light on it, she's shocked by what she finds. Packed with surprises, heart, and stories within stories, this irresistible novel celebrates food, fortune, and family.