KENNETH OPPEL is one of the most highly regarded authors of middle-grade fiction writing today. In addition to the Bloom trilogy, some of his best-known titles are Inkling, a New York Times notable book and a New York Public Library best book of the year; The Nest, which was named a New York Times editors' choice and best book of the year by the CLA, the Globe and Mail, Publishers Weekly, the Wall Street Journal and Booklist, among others; Airborn, winner of the Governor General's Literary Award and a Printz Honor Book; and the million-copy-selling Silverwing trilogy. Born on Vancouver Island, Oppel has lived in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, as well as England and Ireland. He now resides in Toronto with his wife and children. Find him online at www.kennethoppel.ca and @KennethOppel.

Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson began working together as a creative team in 1986 and have collaborated on more than 50 picture books, including the New York Times bestseller My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. They are recipients of the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. Visit them online at johnsonandfancher.com.