Her first novel, The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher, received accolades from the American Library Association, Bank Street College of Education, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, NPR, and others, and appears on several state award lists. Dana writes novels for kids and teenagers. While there is value in all learning, had she known she would end up writing for a living she might not have struggled through all those statistics and finance classes. I hope you like it.Dana Alison Levy was born and raised in New England and studied English literature in Montreal at McGill University before earning an MBA at Babson College. But most of all there is an exploration of what happens when you ask hard questions, listen to tough answers, and, as a community, seek to move forward. There are parts that I laughed out loud writing, and I really hope that readers laugh too. There are painful truths in here that I hope readers will sympathize with.
There is a mystery in this book, and I hope that the ending is satisfying. So I wanted to write about kids who find a way to fight back against these labels, who learn, though a sometimes painful and sometimes hilarious week, that they are more than just one thing. But good or bad, Prom Queen or Loser, these labels are inaccurate and damaging. Or, more worryingly, the Burnout, the Screwup, or the Loser. Kids are starting to calcify into their definition: the Good Kid, the Nerd, the Jock. I wanted to play with this premise with younger characters, because to me middle school is a critical time. Part of the reason that movie is so iconic is because kids now and always struggle with these same stereotypes: we are defined by how we see ourselves, and how others see us. The 1980s teen movie The Breakfast Club is a favorite of mine, in part because it has probably the best movie quotes of any movie, anywhere. It’s about how we lie to ourselves as well as to others, and if we’re not careful, those lies can become the truth. It’s about the judgements and stereotypes we all make.
It’s about school communities, and how they function, or don’t, to serve the whole person. But IT WASN’T ME feels particularly special. I am proud of all the books I’ve written, and excited for them to get into the hands of readers. To learn more about what the book is about, or for links to purchase, head over here!
It’s pouring rain on a November day, but for me, it’s party time! My fourth book for elementary and middle-school readers is in the world today!
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