Naomi Shihab Nye describes herself as a “wandering poet.” She has spent 40 years traveling the country and the world to lead writing workshops and inspiring students of all ages. Nye was born to a Palestinian father and an American mother and grew up in St. Louis, Jerusalem, and San Antonio. Drawing on her Palestinian-American heritage, the cultural diversity of her home in Texas, and her experiences traveling in Asia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East, Nye uses her writing to attest to our shared humanity. Nye is the author and/or editor of more than 30 volumes of poetry, essays, and works for young readers. Nye’s creative works and service have been recognized with many awards, fellowships, and other honors. She has been affiliated with The Michener Center for writers at the University of Texas at Austin and poetry editor at The Texas Observer for 20 years. In January 2010, Nye was elected to the Board of Chancellors of the Academy of American Poets. Nye is Professor of Creative Writing in Poetry at Texas State University.