Ali is a New York Times-bestselling author and National Book Award finalist.

photo credit: Craig Clemow

My work has been translated into 25+ languages in 35+ countries.

My latest book is The Smash Up, my adult debut. It’s the story of a family whose quiet, content rural life is rocked by the culture wars and a breezy, devil-may-care houseguest. The New York Times called it “exhilarating” and “mesmerizing,” and chose the book for its Group Text selection. People Magazine called The Smash-Up a cross between Edith Wharton and Where’d You Go Bernadette: “A fun, timely novel that’s unexpectedly full of hope.” Booklist called The Smash-Up “a contemporary reflection on power and sex.”

Amy Bloom called the book “Sharply funny, perceptive, and surprising at every turn, The Smash-Up is a story that’s acid-etched and full of heart.” Library Journal called it “a fantastic adult debut…(a) timely, witty novel.” Publishers Weekly observed, “With satire and suspense, Benjamin handily encapsulates the incomprehension, sadness, and rage of the Trump era.”

I’ve also written children’s books, including the international bestseller and multiple award winner, The Thing About Jellyfish, and The Next Great Paulie Fink, which was named a best-of-year by Parents Magazine, Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, and the New York Public Library.

I’ve also co-written books with some interesting folks, including Positive, with Paige Rawl, The Keeper, with Tim Howard, and a new project with a fascinating molecular biologist whose work saved millions of lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.