Paradise on Fire

Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes is an author and educator known for storytelling that often addresses complex social issues and Black history and culture. Born in 1954 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Parker Rhodes read voraciously from a young age. She became interested in African American literature in college, earning a BA in drama criticism, an MA in English, and a Doctor of Arts in English from Carnegie Mellon University.

Parker Rhodes began her career writing for adults, with her work primarily focusing on historical fiction featuring the Black experience. She then wrote several acclaimed middle grade novels, including Ninth Ward, which explores a preteen girl’s struggle to survive Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans; Towers Falling, which addresses the impact of 9/11 on a new generation; and Ghost Boys, a story about racial violence and police brutality. She has been praised for tackling difficult subjects with sensitivity and insight.

Beyond her writing, Parker Rhodes is committed to education. She serves as the Piper Endowed Chair and Founding Artistic Director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University. Through her work, she urges readers to confront injustice, embrace their heritage, and find their voices. She has received numerous awards, including the American Book Award, the Black Caucus of the American Library Award for Literary Excellence, the Jane Addams Peace Association Book Award, the Walter Award, and the Prix des Libraries du Quebec, among others.