Gail Carson Levine (born September 17, 1947) is an American author of young adult books.

Her father, whose childhood in the Hebrew Orphan Asylum of New York provided inspiration for her story Dave at Night, owned a commercial art studio, and her mother was a teacher who wrote plays for her students to perform.

[3] As a child, Levine read avidly; her favorite book was James M. Barrie's Peter Pan, and she also enjoyed the works of Louisa May Alcott and L. M.

[4] She initially aspired to be an actress and painter, and participated in theater troupes before losing interest in acting.

[3] She spent the next 27 years working for the government of the state of New York, mainly as a welfare administrator, helping people find jobs.

The success of Ella Enchanted made it possible for Levine to retire from government work and pursue writing full-time.

[3] Levine's next novel, Dave at Night, was inspired by her curiosity about her father's experiences living in an orphanage.

According to Levine, "After Ella Enchanted was published, I submitted some of my old, much rejected picture books to my editor.

"[4] Her six short stories reinvent traditional fairy tales, looking to fill gaps in logic.

[4] Also in the fantasy genre came Fairest, a novel inspired by the story of Snow White and set in the same world as Ella Enchanted.

Common messages from her books include the importance of kindness, selflessness, self-confidence and courage in the face of danger.