Torrey Maldonado was born and raised in Brooklyn’s Red Hook projects which Life magazine called “One of the Toughest U.S. Neighborhoods”. Overcoming being a failing student in failing schools, poverty, and hardships, he has taught in NYC public schools for nearly 25 years and his thin, fast-paced, complex stories are inspired by his and his students’ experiences. His popular novels for young readers include What Lane?, which Oprah and the NY Times cited as an essential book to discuss racism and allyship and garnered many starred reviews; Tight won the Christopher Award, was an ALA Notable Book, and NPR’s and Washington Post’s Best Book of the Year; and his first novel, Secret Saturdays, has been in print for over ten years. He regularly contributes to anthologies with other literary all-stars. Connect on Instagram and Twitter @torreymaldonado.