R.J. Palacio is the author of New York Times #1 Bestseller Wonder, a novel about a young boy born with a facial deformity entering the fifth grade. A former art director and book jacket designer, Palacio lives in New York City with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. Past Lamstein Lecturers have included Christopher Paul Curtis, Cynthia Kadohata, Daniel Handler, Chris Van Allsburg, Lois Lowry, Jennifer Holm, Erin Stead and Philip C. Stead, and Gary D. Schmidt.