Meet 12-year-old Clarissa Koos, a young paleontologist from California who inspired this story. In 2013, on a dig in Montana, "Clarissasaurus" was found. Learn how this dinosaur was named in honor of Clarissa, who continues to work on the discovery from excavation to the lab work, preparing the fossils for display at the Burke Museum in Seattle.Denise Porcello has been a teacher more than 20 years. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two daughters and a retired greyhound. Denise enjoys traveling, reading and science. Denise was inspired to write Dinogirl: A Young Paleontologist after meeting Clarissa Koos at the DIG Field School for teachers in Hell Creek, Montana in 2014. She hopes this book inspires all young scientists, especially girls, to follow their hearts.