Kellen Hertz was raised by New Yorkers in Fresno, California, a combination that resulted in an overactive imagination and a yearning for bagels. She decided to become a writer at age 10 after reading L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz series (since the job of Princess of Oz was already taken). Her unfinished first novel was tragically lost in a sea of library books on the floor of her room, forcing her to seek other employment. She is the author of American Girl’s Tenney series, as well as the coauthor of Lea and Camila. Kellen loves vintage maps, strange names, strong coffee, and words and all the flavors they come in. Most of all, she loves her family. She lives with her husband and son in Los Angeles.