Melissa de la Cruz

Melissa de la Cruz is a Filipino-American author renowned for her work in young adult fiction, particularly her bestselling series Blue Bloods, The Au Pairs, and The Isle of the Lost, which is part of Disney's Descendants franchise. Born on September 7, 1971, in Manila, Philippines, she moved to the United States at the age of 13. She graduated as salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco and later earned degrees in art history and English from Columbia University. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a computer consultant and freelance journalist, contributing to publications like Marie Claire and Teen Vogue .

De la Cruz's writing often explores themes of identity, family, and self-discovery, resonating with readers of all ages. Her Blue Bloods series delves into the lives of elite vampires in New York City, while The Isle of the Lost offers a prequel to the Disney Channel Original Movie Descendants, focusing on the teenage children of Disney villains. In addition to her novels, she co-founded YALLFEST in Charleston and YALLWEST in Santa Monica, two of the largest young adult book festivals in the United States, attracting over 30,000 readers annually .

One of de la Cruz's notable quotes is: "You cannot be with someone just because you don’t want to hurt him. You have your own happiness to think about." This reflects her emphasis on personal growth and self-awareness in her characters. Another insightful quote is: "The only person you should strive to be better than is the person you were yesterday." This speaks to her belief in continuous self-improvement and resilience .Goodreads+1A-Z Quotes+1Bookey