Yee was born and raised near Los Angeles. She attended Brightwood Elementary School and Alhambra High School. Yee was on her high schools' debate team and was president of the honor society. As a student at the University of Southern California, Yee's majors were English and Humanities.

Yee is the co-owner and creative director of Magic Pencil Studios, a strategic creative company. She has written a newspaper column, TV commercials, menus, and TV specials. Yee is married and has two children.

In 2007, Yee was chosen as the writer-in-residence at Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio.

Millicent Min, Girl Genius won the 2004 Sid Fleischman Humor award, was selected for the IRA/CBC Children's Choice list, and was nominated for multiple state prizes. Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time was an ALA Notable Book.