John David Anderson is the best-selling author of several critically-acclaimed novels for young people, including Posted, Granted, and Ms. Bixby’s Last Day. His books have  garnered several awards, been translated into multiple languages, and frequently appear as honorees on state reading lists.   Before becoming a middle-grade novelist, Dave (as he prefers to be called) taught at the University of Illinois. Before that he yearned to be Indiana Jones, but his parents wouldn’t buy him a whip. Dave  lives with his ever-patient wife and two ornery cats, MJ and Parker, in Indianapolis, Indiana, right next to a State park and a Walmart, in a house that is steadily filling with Lego. His favorite color is  gray, and he does not wear ties if he can possibly help it.