Chandra Prasad

Chandra Prasad is a versatile and prolific American author with five critically acclaimed adult and young adult novels. She graduated from Yale University and is known for her historical insight, depth, and engaging storytelling.

Her debut novel, Death of a Circus (2006), has been praised for its rich historical detail and engaging narrative, showcasing her knack for blending historical accuracy with fiction. The story revolves around the Bringlebright Circus, a fictional troupe touring the United States in the early twentieth century during the decline of circuses.

The book follows Lor Cole, a young African-American man from Connecticut who dreams of leaving his provincial past behind and making a name for himself as a high-wire walker. Lor quickly discovers, however, that the characters who join him under the Big Top have their own stories to tell.

The novel On Borrowed Wings (2007), set at Yale University in the 1930s, explores themes of race, class, gender, and family. It was followed by Breathe the Sky (2009), a biography inspired by the life of Amelia Earhart, which received praise for insightfully portraying the legendary aviator.

Prasad entered the young adult genre with Damselfly in 2018, a modern-day adventure and survival story reminiscent of Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

Her subsequent YA novel, Mercury Boys (2021), earned comparisons to notable works such as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

Her writings also have appeared in prestigious publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Teen Voices.

Chandra Prasad lives in Connecticut. She is a fellow at Morse, one of Yale’s residential colleges.

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