Julie Cummins is a nationally and internationally recognized authority on children's literature and library services. She was the coordinator of children's services for the New York Public Library for thirteen years and was the editor-in-chief of the School Library Journal . Julie plays an active leadership role in the American Library Association, including an elected term on the ALA Executive Board, chairing the Nominating Committee and serving twenty-two years on the ALA Council. In 2002, she received the Grolier Award, ALA's top award recognizing outstanding achievement in the profession for the stimulation and guidance of reading by children and young people, and in 2003, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Association for Library Service to Children.