R. J. Palacio is an American author known for her bestselling novel, Wonder, that was adapted into a movie. For more than twenty years, she was an art director and graphic designer, designing book jackets for other people while waiting for the perfect time in her life to start writing her own novel. But one day several years ago, a chance encounter with an extraordinary child in front of an ice cream store made R. J. realize that the perfect time to write that novel had finally come. Palacio's other books include We're All Wonderers, White Bird, 365 Days of Wonder, Auggie & Me, and Pony. She lives in New York City with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.