Renée Watson author page

Renée Watson biography

Renée Watson is an American author, educator, and activist known for her work in children’s and young adult literature. She has written novels, poetry, and picture books that often explore themes of identity, family, and social justice. Watson grew up in Portland, Oregon, and her experiences there have influenced much of her writing.

Watson’s debut novel for young readers, What Momma Left Me, was published in 2010. She has since authored several acclaimed books, including Piecing Me Together, which was published by Bloomsbury in 2017. Her work frequently addresses the experiences of Black girls and women, and she is recognized for her authentic voice and commitment to representation in literature.

In addition to her novels, Watson has written picture books such as Harlem’s Little Blackbird, a biography of singer Florence Mills, and has contributed poetry to various anthologies. She is also known for her community engagement, having founded the I, Too, Arts Collective, an organization based in the former home of poet Langston Hughes in Harlem, which provided arts programming for youth and adults.

Watson’s novel Piecing Me Together received the Coretta Scott King Author Award and was named a Newbery Honor Book in 2018.