Pam Muñoz Ryan is an American children's writer. She was born on December 25, 1951, in Bakersfield, California. She is the daughter of Don Bell and Esperanza Muñoz. She is the eldest of three sisters and twenty-three cousins. She took much of her inspiration for her books from her family and human rights in history.  For example, the idea for "Esperanza Rising" came from her grandmother's experiences immigrating to America. "When Marian Sang" shows the discrimination against African Americans in the theater.  She has written two novels, three books in the "Doug" series, and 13 picture books.