Stanford resident Debbie Duncan reviewed children's books for the Palo Alto Weekly for 23 years. She is the author of the Benjamin Franklin award-winning picture book "When Molly Was in the Hospital," as well as a self-published middle-grade novel, "Caller Number Nine," and a book for parents, "Joy of Reading." She is a regular contributor to the Perspectives series of commentaries on KQED radio. You can find information about all her books and essays at debbieduncan.com.

Devi S. Laskar

Devi S. Laskar is a poet, novelist, essayist, photographer and former newspaper reporter. Her award-winning debut novel, "The Atlas of Reds and Blues," was named by The Washington Post as one of the 50 best books of 2019. Her second novel, "Circa," was released in the spring. She holds degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill, The University of Illinois and Columbia University.

Maud Carol Markson

Maud Carol Markson is the author of two novels, "Looking After Pigeon" and "When We Get Home," as well as numerous short stories published in magazines as varied as Esquire and The New Yorker. She taught writing at the University of New Hampshire and Cabrini College and currently works editing other people's work. These days you can more often find her traveling with her husband or walking their greyhound Liberty.

Judges for the teen category

Nancy Etchemendy

Nancy Etchemendy's novels, short fiction and poetry have appeared regularly for the past 40 years, both in the U.S. and abroad. Her work has earned a number of awards, including three Bram Stoker Awards and an International Horror Guild Award. "Cat in Glass and Other Tales of the Unnatural," her collection of short dark fantasy, was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Her most recent work is "Odd Company," an online publication about compassion and conversations between people who disagree, free to the public at nancyetchemendy.substack.com. Etchemendy lives and works in Palo Alto.

Caryn Huberman Yacowitz

Caryn Huberman Yacowitz is the author of children's books and plays. Her picture books have been widely anthologized and are included in the Junior Great Books and Junior Library Guild Selections. "Baby Moses in a Basket" and the forthcoming "Shoshi's Shabbat" are her most recent picture books. Once in-person theater is possible, she hopes to again create and direct works for adult audiences. You can find information about her work at carynyacowitz.com.

Marjorie Sayer

Marjorie Sayer writes books with a multicultural and interdisciplinary perspective. Her middle-grade novel, "The Girl Mechanic of Wanzhou," is a winner of the Scholastic Asia Book Award. Her nonfiction for adults has appeared in O'Reilly Media, and her recreational math books have been used in clubs throughout the country. She enjoys bicycle travel, her family and the friendship of her cats. She blogs about her interests at marjoriesayer.com.