A native of Santa Monica, California, Gennifer Choldenko has, as of 1992 lived in San Francisco. Her first novel, Notes From a Liar and Her Dog was named "Best Book of the Year" by School Library Journal and her second, Al Capone Does My Shirts won the 2005 Newbery Honor citation. She is most famous for her book 'Al Capone Does My Shirts' and the sequel: 'Al Capone Shines My Shoes'

• 2004: Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in Literature, Al Capone Does My Shirts
• 2005: Newbery Honor, Al Capone Does My Shirts

Al Capone Does My Shirts' ALA Notable Book, ALA Notable Recording, Best Books for Young Adults, Bank Street College Best Children's Books fo the Year, California Library Association Beatty and Focal Awards, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, California Young Reader Medal 2007, New York Library's Best 100 Books for Reading and Sharing, Publisher's Weekly Best Books of the Year, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year'Al Capone Shines My Shoes' Amazon Top Ten Middle Grade Novels for 2009, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2009, Kirkus Reviews Best Children"s Books of 2009, Minnesota Public Radio's Books to Read in 2010, Barnes and Noble Best Children's Books of the Year 2009For a complete list of all awards// Choldenko.com