The Case of the Barfy Birthday

Michele Torrey holds a degree in microbiology and immunology. She has written the critically acclaimed Voyage of Midnight (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2006), To the Edge of the World (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2003), and many others.

Barbara Johansen Newman was a puppeteer and doll maker before becoming a full-time illustrator. She both wrote and illustrated Sterling's critically praised Tex & Sugar (2007). School Library Journal noted that her "Rich, vibrant illustrations, like an explosion of color, capture the sights of the city, while meticulous detail depicts the all-animal cast and a wide range of expressions. ” Her work has been featured in national magazines, newspapers, calendars, cards, and more than a dozen books for children.