Budge Wilson is the author of the acclaimed book The Leaving, a short story collection chosen by the American Library Association as one of the 75 Best Children's Books of the past twenty-five years, winner of the American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, and the School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. A Nova Scotia native and resident, Ms. Wilson has worked as a teacher, commercial artist, photographer, and fitness instructor, but now occupies her time with her true love, writing.