Tamora Pierce is an American writer of fantasy fiction for teenagers, known best for stories featuring young heroines. She made a name for herself with her first book series, The Song of the Lioness, which followed the main character Alanna through the trials and triumphs of training as a knight. Many of her books have feminist themes. Pierce won the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 2013, citing her two quartets Song of the Lioness and Protector of the Small. The annual award recognizes one writer and a particular body of work for "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature". 

December 13th, 1954 in South Connellsville (Age 69)