Former teacher. Wannabe chef. Tami Charles writes books for children and young adults. Her middle grade novel, Like Vanessa, earned Top 10 spots on the Indies Introduce and Spring Kids' Next lists, three starred reviews, and a Junior Library Guild selection. Her recent titles include a humorous middle grade, Definitely Daphne, picture book, Freedom Soup, and YA novel, Becoming Beatriz. When Tami isn't writing, she can be found presenting at schools both stateside and abroad. (Or sneaking in a nap...because sleep is LIFE!)

* I attended Newark Public Schools, where my mother was a teacher, vice-principal, and eventually principal at my elementary school. Talk about TORTURE! (but I survived)

* Once upon a time, I was in an all-girl R&B singing group. We performed on BET, for the Apollo, and had a song on the radio that played at like 2 in the morning when everyone was sleeping. We didn't make it to Hollywood, but those were the times of my life!