Mary Boone (MAIR-ee BOON) has ridden an elephant, jumped out of an airplane, hung out backstage with a boy band, and baked dozens of cricket cookies--all in the interest of research for her books and magazine articles. She's written more than 65 nonfiction books for young readers, ranging from inventor biographers to how-to craft guides. Mary grew up in rural Iowa. Prior to writing books, she reported and edited for several daily newspapers. She now lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband, Mitch, and children, Eve and Eli. Mary loves being outdoors, reading, and hanging out with her Airedale Terrier, Ruthie Bader.