Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge

Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge are the co-authors of the critically acclaimed Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself. Their collaborative work has been recognized as a YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction finalist and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.

The duo brings together decades of expertise in the following fields:

• Education: Both are experienced educators with backgrounds in classroom teaching and curriculum development.
• Literary Influence: Monica is a well-known influencer through her blog, Educating Alice, while Lesley is a fellow of the Hurston/Wright Foundation.
• Historical Research: Their work focuses on making complex historical narratives accessible and engaging for young readers.