Born in Columbus, Ohio, Jacqueline grew up in Greenville, South Carolina and Brooklyn, New York and graduated from college with a B.A. in English. A former drama therapist for runaways and homeless children in New York City, she now writes full-time.

She has received The Kenyon Review Award for Literary Excellence in Fiction and most recently, three Coretta Scott King Honor books. Though she spends most of her time writing, Woodson also enjoys reading the works of emerging writers and encouraging young people to write, heated political conversations with her friends, and sewing.

Her books for young readers include I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This, a story of two young women dealing with sexual abuse, and From the Notes of the Melanin Sun dealing with a mother who comes out to her adolescent son.

Hush and her new book, Locomotion, are National Book Award finalists. Jacqueline currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.