Donna Danell Cooner

Donna Cooner is an American author of young adult and children's books, as well as a former teacher and school administrator. She is currently a professor of education at Colorado State University. Cooner was born and raised in Texas and is a three-time graduate of Texas A&M University. She began her writing career by writing for the PBS television show "Barney & Friends" and its spin-off books, eventually publishing over twenty children's books. After a period of writing nonfiction and educational articles, she returned to creative writing with her debut young adult novel, "Skinny," in 2012. Her work often explores themes of identity, self-doubt, and the challenges faced by teenagers.