Born on April 26th, prolific writer, teacher, and editor Patricia Reilly Giff has many individual titles to her credit as well as the Kids of Polk Street series and the New Kids of Polk Street series. Another series she writes is Polka Dot Private Eye. Many readers will be familiar with Giff’s The War Began at Supper (1991) and The Gift of the Pirate Queen (1982). In 2003, Pictures of Hollis Woods was recognized with a Newbery Honor. Lily's Crossing was similarly honored in 1998. Giff writes mainly for middle graders stressing “all of us are special—important because we are ourselves.” She was born in Brooklyn, New York. Giff received her undergraduate degree from Marymount University, her master's degree from St. John's University, and her professional reading diploma from Hofstra University.