Alum Spotlight: Lily Dodd

January 14, 2026

Keys alum Lily Dodd (@lbd_author_updates ) was back on the Middle School campus to present and discuss her background as a writer and her recently published book, “The Last Ember”.
Her fantasy novel was named a best book of the year by The New York Times and Kirkus Reviews, among others. Lily’s book has been described as follows: Impossible Creatures meets The Mysterious Benedict Society in this epic, fast-paced upper-middle grade fantasy full of dragon-like creatures, heroic hijinks, battle-forged friendships, and sharp humor.
It was wonderful to have Lily back on campus, and we can’t wait to read and celebrate more of her work!