Grace Lin grew up in Upstate New York with her parents and two sisters. While the other sisters became scientists, Grace became an artist. After attending the Rhode Island School of Design, Grace began working on children's books. Her first book, The Ugly Vegetables, was published in 1999 and received numerous awards. She followed that success with the publication of more than 20 books, including Dim Sum For Everyone!, and Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same. Grace's novels for middle-schoolers, The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat, have received many awards.