Whitney Knowles is a passionate storyteller and educator with a lifelong love for books, imagination, and inclusion. A dedicated special education coordinator by profession, she draws inspiration from her students and daughters to craft stories that celebrate courage, diversity, and self-discovery. Sugar Grove Academy, her debut middle-grade fantasy novel, is a heartfelt tribute to young readers who are learning to find their place in the world-especially those who feel a little different. Whitney lives with her family and two creative daughters, who help keep her imagination fired up and her writing grounded in heart and magic.