I thought, since the Middle Grade Fiction Cybils panel is taking over my life, that I could share, for this Weekly Geek — highlighting an author — one of the many authors I’ve discovered through my Cybils reading.

Which is a much harder choice than it sounds.

I could do so many. The more popular ones: Hilary McKay, Sarah Pennypacker, Peggy Gifford (a good interview with Becky found here). Or one of the less-known or first timers: Andrea White, Jody Feldman, Howard Whitehouse. But, to make things easy on me (and because I’m really bad at decisions), I’m going to spotlight the author of the book I’m currently reading:

by Elise Broach

Some facts about her (found at her website):

• She’s written five picture books, and this one is her third novel.
• She was born in Georgia, but went to Yale (and studied History!). She now lives in Connecticut.
• She likes reality TV, especially Survivor, The Apprentice, and Project Runway.
• The fictional character she most identifies with is Lizzy Bennet.
• Her usual writing spot is, “at a desk in an alcove of my bedroom, with a window that overlooks the woods and a shelf full of my favorite books next to me.”
• She has three children and an “enthusiastic” dog named Dixie.

From the back cover of the book:

• She got the idea for Masterpiece “when she lost a contact lens down a bathroom sink. She sat on the tile floor and fantasized about how wonderful it would be if a tiny creature could go fetch it.”

Here’s an interview with her at Cynsations, and a review of Masterpiece at Eva Perry Mock Newbery.