Derrick Barnes

Derrick Barnes is a National Book Award Finalist for his 2022 graphic novel Victory. Stand! - Raising My Fist For Justice (Norton Young Readers). He is also the author of the critically acclaimed picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (Agate), and three New York Times Bestsellers: The King of Kindergarten, I Am Every Good Thing, and the Queen of Kindergarten.

Amongst the literary awards he has earned for his contributions to children’s literature are the Ezra Jack Keats Award, a two time Coretta Scott King Honoree, a Newbery Honor, the YALSA Excellence InYoung Adult Non Fiction Award, and a two-time Kirkus Prize for Young Readers recipient.

Derrick is a graduate of Jackson State University and was the first African-American male creative copywriter hired by Hallmark Cards. He is a native of Kansas City, MO, but currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and four sons.