An actor, screenwriter, and writer, Barbara Dana was born in New York City. She is the mother of three grown sons. It was as an actor, playing in a production of Joan of Lorraine, that Barbara first felt called to write her book about the young saint, although, she recalled at the time the book was published, "My life has been filled with the power of the spirit of Joan for as long as I can remember." Barbara actually worked on the book at Joan of Arc's home in Domeremy, France.
Barbara is currently working on a project about Emily Dickinson, spending as much time as she can at Emily Dickinson's home in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Dana has written several award-winning books both for children and young adults, and one of her favorite YA novels is Young Joan, about Joan of Arc. She helped transform her book about teens and divorce, Necessary Parties (an ALA Best Book), for PBS. And she is now working on a book about the young Emily Dickinson. She is also a playwright. Her first play, War in Paramus, was developed at Hudson Stage Company and recently premiered in NYC.
