In 2003, the MAE committee honored Nancy Garden for her lifetime contribution to young adult literature. Annie on My Mind, the "bittersweet story of two young women who fall in love" was the lone book recognized.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Nancy Garden spent her childhood years moving frequently with her family. These experiences lead to her interest in reading and storytelling as stable pastimes. Today, she continues to indulge those passions from a home she shares with her life partner in Carlisle, Massachusetts.

Ms. Garden's works are cited for their ability to help students feel more at ease with difficult and sometimes controversial issues. For this reason, her novels are an important addition to school libraries.