This biography introduces readers to Cynthia Kadohata, the Newbery Medal winning author of Kira-Kira. She is also the author of A Million Shades of Gray, Outside Beauty, Weedflower, Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam, and other young adult and adult novels. Readers will learn about Kadohata’s early life in the South, the influence of her Japanese heritage, her struggle to get short stories published in magazines, her switch to young adult fiction, and the inspiration for her award-winning books. Easy-to-read text and full-color photos highlight Kadohata’s childhood, family, education, and life as an author. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.