About Me

I write nonfiction books for kids and teens that humanize big ideas and excite readers about their own power to make change. I write about social studies topics, including history, economics, current events, and biography.

Before writing for kids, I was a social science researcher focused on human development and education. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and in German Literature from Vassar College, a master’s degree in Economics from Princeton University, and a doctorate from Northwestern University in Human Development and Social Policy.

I live outside Chicago with my husband, two daughters, a cat named Pumpkin Pie, and lots of books. When not reading or writing, you can find me exploring faraway places, unraveling puzzles of all kinds, or cooking.

Photography: Martha Abelson