Johanna Hurwitz is the author of over sixty bestselling children's novels, including Faraway Summer, Dear Emma, Elisa Michaels, Bigger & Better, Class Clown, Fourth-Grade Fuss, and Rip-Roaring Russell, which was named an American Library Association Notable Book. Her art has received numerous state honors chosen by children. She is a former school librarian who speaks at schools across the country about her novels.