Hi, I'm Michelle — writing as M.J. Ekrut

When my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, we went looking for a book with a kid like him at the center. A story set in the real world — like my son’s favorite book, Wonder — with a boy navigating type 1 and still finding his place.

We couldn't find one.

So I wrote it.

Before becoming a mom, I worked as a librarian. I know middle grade. I know what it means for a child to find a character who gets it, who gets them. That's what I set out to create: a story for kids who don't see their struggles reflected back, and for the people who love them and want to understand.

My stories live in the space where hard things happen and kids figure out who they are anyway: through friendship, family, and the everyday courage it takes to just show up.

I write primarily in middle grade, with adult women's fiction on the horizon, because honestly figuring out who you are doesn't stop at twelve.