Elaine Lobl Konigsburg was born on February 10, 1930, in New York City but spent most of her childhood in small towns in Pennsylvania. She worked her way through Pittsburgh's experiences and her insights into human behavior. Her first two books— Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth and From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler—were both published in 1967 and created an unprecedented critical sensation the following year when the Carnegie-Mellon University by taking odd jobs: manager of a dormitory laundry, playground instructor, waitress, and library page. In 1952 she graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and married David Konigsburg that same year.

Chemistry, however, did not prove to be her calling. In graduate school she blew up a lab sink—twice. While teaching at a private girls' school, Konigsburg found she was more interested in her students' thoughts...