Cristina Kessler knew she wanted to be a writer at the age of ten, and since she was twelve, she knew she would travel the world. Not surprisingly, she put these two early dreams t...view moreCristina Kessler knew she wanted to be a writer at the age of ten, and since she was twelve, she knew she would travel the world. Not surprisingly, she put these two early dreams together.
A Peace Corps worker originally, she lived abroad for 30 years. For 19 of those years she called Africa home. Her love and respect for the people and her personal connection brings an authenticity and life to her stories rare in children’s books.
Committed to sharing these rich cultures with her American readers, she has authored No Condition Is Permanent, a story set in Sierra Leone, and the award-winning Our Secret, Siri Aang, a story of the Maasai set in Kenya. Trouble in Timbuktu, set in Mali, won the 2005 Africana Honor Book Award which is given by the African Studies Association annually, and honors outstanding authors and illustrators of books about Africa published for children and young adults in the United States.
She and her husband, Joe, currently reside on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but she still misses Africa like she left yesterday.
To learn more about Cristina Kessler, visit her website: www.cristinakessler.comview less