Margaret Peterson Haddix, born April 9, 1964, is an American author widely recognized for her contributions to children's and young adult literature. She is best known for creating the "Shadow Children" series, which ran from 1998 to 2006, and "The Missing" series, published between 2008 and 2015. Haddix also contributed to the multi-author "The 39 Clues" series with the tenth volume, "Into the Gauntlet."

Raised on a farm in Ohio, Haddix was surrounded by books and developed a passion for reading early on. Her academic pursuits at Miami University led to degrees in English and History. Before dedicating herself to fiction, Haddix worked in various writing-related roles, including newspaper internships. This background in journalism influenced her transition to fiction, where she aimed to craft her own narratives. After facing initial rejections, her first novels, "Running Out of Time" and "Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey," were published in the mid-1990s. Haddix has since authored over 50 books. Her work has received significant recognition, appearing on The New York Times Best Seller lists and earning accolades such as the International Reading Association's Children's Book Award and numerous state reader's choice awards. She currently resides in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Doug, and their two adult children.

Margaret Peterson Haddix was born on April 9, 1964, and spent her formative years on a farm situated between Washington Court House and Sabina, Ohio. Her upbringing was deeply rooted in agriculture, with a family that comprised predominantly farmers. This rural environment was complemented by a household filled with books, fostering a strong reading habit from a young age. Haddix has cited several classic children's books as significant influences during her childhood, including works by E.L. Konigsburg, "Harriet the Spy," "Anne of Green Gables," "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott, "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank, "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," and "A Little Princess." This early exposure to diverse narratives likely shaped her own approach to storytelling.

Haddix pursued higher education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she earned multiple degrees in English/Journalism, English/Creative Writing, and History. During her college years, she engaged in a variety of jobs, many of which were connected to her writing interests. These included working on the university newspaper and undertaking summer internships at newspapers in Urbana, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Indianapolis, Indiana. The decision to focus on fiction writing was influenced by her husband, Doug, becoming a news reporter, which prompted her desire to create her own original plots and characters rather than report on existing events. Her background as a reporter provided a foundation for her fictional endeavors.

After a prolonged period of submitting manuscripts and facing rejections, Haddix achieved her first publishing successes in 1995 and 1996. Her debut novel, "Running Out of Time," was released while she was pregnant with her second child. This was followed by "Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey." Haddix has since authored over 50 books for young readers, including the highly successful "Shadow Children" and "The Missing" series, as well as "The Palace Chronicles" and "The Greystone Secrets." Her books have garnered significant critical and popular acclaim, frequently appearing on The New York Times Best Seller lists and being recognized by the American Library Association. She has received awards such as the International Reading Association's Children's Book Award and numerous state reader's choice awards, affirming her status as a prominent voice in contemporary children's literature.