Emily Van Engen

EMILY VAN ENGEN tells people often and proudly: “Middle schoolers are my people.” Teenagers in general, with their awkwardness and angst, are exactly the room of people she wants to get trapped in. [Well maybe not trapped unless there is an abundant supply of snacks and deodorant.] She writes YA fiction to show her students that they can achieve anything if they work hard, and she plans to continue writing and teaching until she’s so old the school forces her into retirement. Though she spent most of her life as a proud Virginian, Van Engen now happily embraces her life as a Michigander, including the three seasons of winter. When she isn’t teaching her “kids” at school or writing about the ones that occupy her mind, she’s at home reading or being lazy with her husband and dog, Cloud, who you can follow on Instagram: @cloudpups (he’s quite popular).

*In case you are wondering, she pronounces her last name Van (like one you drive) Engen (rhymes with vegan without the V, or the diet).