Renee Macalino Rutledge was born in Manila, Philippines, and raised in California from the age of four. Her debut novel,  won an Institute for Immigration Research New American Voices Finalist award, Foreword INDIES Gold, and Powell's Top Five Staff Pick. In addition to , she is also the author of the children’s books ,  a celebration of mixed-race identities, and  a story about overcoming hardship with the help of our friends, who are often very different from ourselves. Renee lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she reads books for a living, loves the outdoors, and is always on the lookout for new adventures with her husband and their two daughters. Find her at  or connect with her on Instagram @renee_rutledge.