Deborah Lakritz is the author of A Place to Belong: Debbie Friedman Sings Her Way Home, as well as PJ picture books, Say Hello, Lily, a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Young Readers, and Joey and the Giant Box. She is also the author of debut middle grade novel Things That Shimmer. Deborah holds a masters degree in social work and has been a school social worker, family life educator, and Social Emotional Learning facilitator. She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she and her husband raised their five children.