Irene Latham is a poet and novelist who writes heart-touching tales of unexpected adventure. She was born in Georgia, the third in a family that would eventually include five children. At one time or another she had lived in various parts of Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee. She also traveled worldwide with her family, including a two and a half year stint in Saudi Arabia before settling in Birmingham, Alabama, where she has lived since 1984.When Irene was eight years old, she wrote in her Dr. Seuss' MY BOOK ABOUT ME that, in addition to mother, veterinarian and farmer, she wanted to be a writer. However, she didn't take a single writing class in college. Instead, she earned degrees in social work from University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa). Irene also participated in the Walt Disney College Program and is the proud recipient of a Mouster's Degree. For many years writing was Irene's secret life, but after the birth of her third son, she decided to pull those poems and stories out of drawers and share them with others. Since the her work has appeared in various books, journals and anthologies, and she was named Alabama 2006 Poet of the Year. She authored three poetry books for adults before turning her focus to children. The author of two award-winning middle grade novels LEAVING GEE'S BEND and DON'T FEED THE BOY, her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in various anthologies, including The Poetry Friday series (Pomelo Books) and volumes edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins and J. Patrick Lewis, as well as in magazines such as Scholastic's Action, Scope and Storyworks. Irene especially enjoys sharing her passion for writing with others at school, senior centers, libraries, Girl Scout meetings and writing conferences. She is the co-founder of the Big Table Poets and serves as poetry editor for Birmingham Arts Journal. Irene loves exploring new places and often uses "research" as an excuse to travel. Her favorite characters in books and real life are those who have the courage to go their own way. She considers writing a spiritual practice and can't imagine who she would be without words.Books for Children:LEAVING GEE'S BEND (Putnam/Penguin, 2010)DON'T FEED THE BOY (Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan, 2012)DEAR WANDERING WILDEBEEST: AND OTHER POEMS FROM THE WATER HOLE (Millbrook Press/Lerner, 2014)WHEN THE SUN SHINES ON ANTARCTICA: AND OTHER POEMS ABOUT THE FROZEN CONTINENT (Millbrook Press/Lerner, 2016)FRESH DELICIOUS: POEMS FROM THE FARMERS' MARKET (WordSong/Boyds Mills Press, 2016)IT'S NOT BLACK & WHITE, with Charles Waters (Carolrhoda/Lerner, 2017)POP, BAM, BOOM!: EXPLODING POEMS (WordSong/ Boyds Mills Press, TBD)FRANK & MISS FANCY (Putnam/Penguin Random House, TBD)