Kwame Alexander is a poet, an educator, and theNew York Timesbestselling author of more than thirty-fivebooks, including hisNewberyMedal-winning middle grade novel The Crossover. Some of his other works include Booked, which was longlisted for theNational Book Award; The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life;Swing; the picture booksHow to Read a Book and How to Write a Poem (coauthored with Deanna Nikaido), both illustrated by Melissa Sweet; and The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, which was longlisted for the National Book Awardand won the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. He is a regular contributor to NPR's Morning Edition, currently serving as their poet ambassador. He lives in Virginia with his family. Visit his website atkwamealexander.com.