BARBARA KRAMER began writing biographies for children and young adults after following the advice of another author who said, "Write what you like to read." She remembered how much she enjoyed biographies when she was a kid, especially stories about trailblazers such as Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, and Elizabeth Blackwell. She decided that's what she wanted to write. Her subjects have included both historical figures and people in the news. She and her husband live in Iowa with their two cats. They also have two grown children.