Dana Parish

Dana Parish is a popular American author whose books explore the struggles of family dynamics, relationships and identity as they work to build strong communication while faced with pressures in everyday life. Her fiction works deftly tackle these issues with a blend of humor, insight and compassion.

Born in Connecticut and raised in California, Parish's southern roots and sense of humor developed by reading and writing from an early age. After graduating from Stanford University and later receiving a Master's of Fine Arts in writing from the University of Iowa, Parish began her career in publishing as an editor for children's books. During this time, she gained a deep knowledge of children's literature and began to work on her own.

Parish's debut novel, A Mirror for Us All, was released in 2007 and was honored as an American Library Association (ALA) Notable Children's Book. The story follows Elyse, a young girl struggling to fit in while surrounded by passive aggressive family dynamics. Through the character's journey to self-discovery, readers come to understand the power of communication, acceptance and understanding.

The ALA lauded Parish for their depiction of “the transformation of family relationships after a conflict that leads toward understanding and, ultimately, forgiveness.” The book received positive reviews and kickstarted Parish's career as an author.

Since then, Parish has released a number of novels and middle-grade books. In 2012, 'Blue's Big Mystery' was released, which centered around a pre-teen’s quest to solve a robbery. The book featured themes of identity and relationships, a common thread in many of Parish's works.

Parish's attention to detail and thoughtful crafting of characters has been praised by both critics and fans alike. In 2016, The Light Left Behind was released. The book, which featured a family’s search for understanding and closure, earned Parish an ALA Notable Children's Book award and garnered rave reviews from readers.

Throughout her career, Parish has been an advocate for children's literature and its ability to provide readers with an escape and an opportunity to explore issues through storytelling. In 2019, she was awarded the Shelfari Award for Children's Writing in recognition of her work.

Parish continues to write and publish her works, exploring themes of identity and communication in her work. Through her books, she encourages readers to enjoy the journey of discovering their own identity, regardless of external pressures. With her insight and compassion, Dana Parish provides an honest glimpse into the struggles of family dynamics and relationships.