Brandon Marie Miller earned her degree in American History from Purdue University, where she also studied art history. Her love of history began early thanks to her parents, both teachers, who encouraged her to walk in the past's steps at national parks, historic sites, battlefields and museums. Her award-winning books for young people have been honored by the International Reading Association, the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), the Society of School Librarians International, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), Bank Street College, the New York Public Library, and the Chicago Public Library, among others.