Julius Lester has written more than 30 books for children. Among the awards his books have received are the Newbery Honor, Boston-Globe Horn Book, Coretta Scott King, National Book Award finalist, ALA Notable Book, National Jewish Book Award finalist, and New York Times Outstanding Book Award. He lives in Belchertown, Massachusetts.

Carl Angel is an artist, illustrator and graphic designer whose work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Hawaii. He has illustrated several children's books, most recently Sky High. He lives in Burbank, California.

Silence, sent on a mysterious mission by the ancient trees that raised her after she was sent away from her village, reconnects the villagers with their forgotten ancestors.