Beatrice Sparks was an American therapist and author, best known for her role as the editor of several controversial and influential books written in the style of diaries, such as "Go Ask Alice" and "Jay's Journal." Often shrouded in mystery, her works typically addressed the struggles of adolescence and were purported to be based on real-life stories. Sparks was born in 1917 in Idaho, and she received her education in psychology and counseling, which informed her writing and editing work. Despite questions about the authenticity of her books, Sparks' contributions ignited important conversations about youth and societal issues.