Sarah Dessen was born in Evanston, Illinois on June 6, 1970. She moved with her family to West Virginia, and then North Carolina where she now resides with her husband, daughter Sasha Clementine, and dogs.

Two of her novels, That Summer and Someone Like You, were the basis for How to Deal, a 2003 movie starring Mandy Moore. How to Deal | Sarah Dessen Her novel Just Listen was released in April 2006 and subsequently reached number two on the New York Times Book Review. Lock and Key now a bestseller! Dessen's ninth book, Along for the Ride, was released June 16, 2009.

Dessen's books have received numerous awards:

• That Summer: ALA Best Book for Young Adults, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, barnesandnoble.com Top Ten Teen Novel, ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers
• Keeping the Moon: School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, International Reading Association Young Adult Choice
• Dreamland: Amazon.com Editor's Choice, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, Missouri Gateway Readers' Choice Award for Teens, ALA Popular Paperback for Young Adults
• Someone Like You: Maryland Library Association Black-Eyed Susan Award, South Carolina Young Adult Book Award, Missouri Gateway Readers' Choice Award for Teens
• This Lullaby: Original Voices Selection, Borders Group, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist, Michigan Thumbs Up! Award Honor Book, New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
• The Truth About Forever: ALA 2005 Teens Top Ten, New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
• Just Listen: Booksense Top Ten pick, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, New York Times Best Seller, YALSA Teen's Top Ten
• Lock and Key: New York Times Best Seller
• Along for the Ride: New York Times Best Seller

Dessen has stated in her livejournal blog that her next novel will be entitled What Happened To Goodbye and will be released in May 2011.