Elissa Janine Hoole bought her first deck of Tarot cards as a birthday gift to herself when she turned twenty, and even in the privacy of her own apartment, she felt like she should hide them. The three words she uses to describe herself are curious, caring, and contemplative. Suggestions from her husband and two sons include crazy and cantankerous. Elissa teaches middle school English and sometimes makes her students write poetry that celebrates and sings themselves. She also wrote the YA road trip novel, Kiss the Morning Star.

Elissa Janine Hoole bought her first deck of Tarot cards as a birthday gift to herself when she turned twenty, and even in the privacy of her own apartment, she felt like she should hide them. The three words she uses to describe herself are curious, caring, and contemplative. Suggestions from her husband and two sons include crazy and cantankerous. Elissa teaches middle school English and sometimes makes her students write poetry that celebrates and sings t

"An intricately crafted story of teen pregnancy helmed by a bold, achingly real protagonist determined to decide her own fate." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Heartbreaking and hopeful." --Booklist (starred review)

"Honest and sometimes heart-breaking, The Memory Jar is about first love, first loss, and how one moment can change the course of a lifetime." --Suzanne Young, New York Times best-selling author of The Program series