Kate DiCamillo?s writing journey has been a truly remarkable one. She grew up in Florida and moved to Minnesota in her twenties, when homesickness and a bitter winter led her to write Because of Winn-Dixie ? her first published novel, which became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. The Tiger Rising, her second novel, was also set in Florida and went on to become a National Book Award finalist. Since then, the best-selling author has explored settings as varied as a medieval castle and a magician?s theater while continuing to enjoy great success, winning two Newbery Medals and being named National Ambassador for Young People?s Literature. She now has over 40 million books in print worldwide.