Monika Schröder writes novels for middle-grade readers. Her books include My Brother''s Shadow, which was nominated for the 2014 New York State Reading Association''s Charlotte Award; Saraswati''s Way, a Story of an Indian Street Child, which Bank Street College named one of the best books of 2011; and The Dog in the Wood, which earned a starred review from Kirkus and was chosen by Voya as "Top shelf fiction for middle school readers." Monika grew up in Germany but has lived and worked in Egypt, Oman, Chile, and India. She brought an Indian Street dog, whom she calls Frank, from New Delhi to her current home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. When Frank isn''t demanding her attention, Monika invents vegetarian dishes, bakes cheesecakes, and tends her garden.