Amina Luqman-Dawson loves using writing to tell stories and to build an understanding of race, culture and community. Her published writing includes op-eds in newspapers, magazine articles, travel writing and book reviews. She’s authored the pictorial history book Images of America: African Americans of Petersburg (Arcadia Publishing). She has a BA in Political Science from Vassar College and a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley. Freewater (Little Brown) is her debut novel. The novel is a New York Times Bestseller and has received critical acclaim, including the John Newberry Medal and the Corvette School King Award. Amina is the proud mother of a 14-year-old son.