Patrick Ness author of Burn

Patrick Ness is a British-American author, journalist, lecturer and screenwriter. Born in the United States, Ness has lived in Virginia, Hawaii, Washington, California, and England. He is best known for his books for young adults, including The Knife of Never Letting Go and A Monster Calls.

Having only ever wanted to be a writer, Patrick studied English Literature at the University of Southern California, and upon graduation, went to work as a corporate writer for a Los Angeles cable company. He was working on his first novel when he moved to London in 1999.

Patrick has a tattoo of a rhinoceros, has run three marathons, and refuses to eat onions.

Stacey Lee author of The Downstairs Girl

An award-winning author of historical and contemporary young adult fiction, Stacey dreamed of writing books for a living since she was nine.

A native of southern California and fourth-generation Chinese American, she graduated from UCLA and later received her law degree. Along the way, she continued writing. Best known for Under a Painted Sky, Stacey plays classical piano and wrangles children, all while fulfilling the dream of a nine year old.

Alicia D. Williams author of Genesis Begins Again

Alicia D resides in Charlotte, NC. She is the proud mother of a brilliant college student. Her love for education stems from conducting school residencies as a Master Teaching Artist of arts-integration. Alicia D infuses her love for drama, movement, and storytelling to inspire students to write. Alicia D loves laughing, traveling, and Wonder Woman as well as chunky guacamole, shiny things, and good stories.

Kit Frick author of I Killed Zoe Spanos

Kit Frick is a novelist and poet. She studied creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College and received her MFA from Syracuse University. The author of young adult thrillers, Kit loves a good mystery but has only ever killed her characters. Honest.

George Takei author of They Called Us Enemy

George Takei is an American actor, author, and activist. He is best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the television series Star Trek. He also portrayed the character in six Star Trek feature films and one episode of Star Trek: Voyager. George spent ages 5 to almost 9 imprisoned by the U.S. government in Japanese American internment camps.

Harmony Becker illustrator of George Takei’s graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy

Harmony Becker is an artist and illustrator. She is the creator of the comics Himawari Share, Love Potion, and Anemone and Catharus. She is a member of a multicultural family and has spent time living in South Korea and Japan. Her work often deals with the theme of the language barrier and how it shapes people and their relationships.

Members of the 2021 Teen Reader’s Choice Award Committee are: Eve Trainer, Jan Matthews, Matt Cole, Myrna Allen, and Susan Cochrane.