A resident of Detroit, Michigan, Jean Alicia Elster, JD, is a professional editor and writer whose articles have appeared in national publications such as World Vision and Black Child. In addition to the Joe Joe in the City series, she is the author of the young adult novel Who's Jim Hines? (Wayne State University Press) which was selected as a Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. She also collaborated in the manuscript preparation for the award-winning Dear Mrs. Parks: A Dialogue with Today's Youth by Rosa Parks (Lee & Low Books). She is the editor of several books published by Judson Press including Playbook for Christian Manhood: 12 Key Plays for Black Teen Boys by James C. Perkins and Profiles in Black: Phat Facts for Teens by Marvin A. McMickle.
Jean Alicia Elster and her husband are the parents of a son and a daughter.