10/21/2026
She could not find a main character who looked like her, so she created one.
When Author Jeanne Knapp was in fourth grade, she noticed something missing from the books she read: a lead character with a visible disability. That realization stayed with her.
Today, Jeanne is the author of four mystery books featuring Megan Mattson, a curious and capable 12-year-old with spina bifida who uses a wheelchair. Megan follows clues, trusts her observations and helps solve each mystery herself.
In 2025, Jeanne was recognized as the eitas Author of the Year for her writing and her work to bring Megan’s mysteries to readers. During a recent visit to the zoo, Jeanne may have even discovered the first clue for Megan’s next adventure.
Read Jeanne’s story and learn more about her books:
Meet Jackson County Missouri author Jeanne Knapp and discover how she created the Megan mystery series to bring disability representation to children’s books.