Karen Hesse is an American author of children's and young adult literature. She has written over 30 books, including the Newbery Medal-winning Out of the Dust and the Newbery Honor-winning Witness. Her works often explore themes of family, identity, and social justice. Hesse has also written several picture books, including the Caldecott Honor-winning A Song of the Waterboatman and Other Pond Poems. She has been praised for her ability to create vivid, lyrical stories that capture the emotions of her characters. Hesse's work has been translated into many languages and has been honored with numerous awards, including the National Book Award. She continues to write and inspire young readers around the world.