Marcy Cottrell Houle, is a writer, award-winning author of five books, and a wildlife biologist. Her books have been honored with the national Christopher Award, the Oregon Book Award,  Oregonian's Best Books of the Northwest, and New York Times Best Books for Earth Day. She is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times, and has written articles for Reader's Digest, Los Angeles Times, Globe and Mail, Nature Conservancy Magazine, and Cricket Magazine for Children. Marcy lives with her family in Portland, Oregon.