Lessons from the Prairie: The Surprising Secrets to Happiness, Success, and (Sometimes Just) Survival I Learned on Little House - Hardcover

Melissa Francis is an anchor and host on the Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel, and a regular contributor on financial, economic, and political issues on shows such as The Five, Outnumbered, Happening Now, and America's Newsroom.

Prior to her role at Fox, Melissa spent nine years at CNBC anchoring Power Lunch, The Call, and On the Money. She co-hosted It's the Economy on MSNBC with Contessa Brewer. She contributed to The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and Weekend Today.

Melissa is also an inspirational speaker and author of the acclaimed memoir, Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter, and Lessons from the Prairie. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, PEOPLE, The New York Post, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly.

As an actress, she appeared in numerous motion pictures, television series, and commercials. She is best known for her role of Cassandra Cooper Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie.

Melissa grew up in Los Angeles and earned an honors degree in Economics from Harvard University. She now lives in Manhattan with her husband and three children.

"Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter is touching and brave, heartbreaking and inspirational... I simply loved it."―Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle

"Melissa Francis's Lessons from the Prairie is a busy mom's manifesto-candid and commonsense, insightful, laugh-out-loud funny. A refreshing reality check for working moms who love their jobs as well as their families, and won't compromise their happiness."

―Mika Brzezinski

"Melissa Francis' Lessons from the Prairie delivers one belly laugh after another as she tees up an easy to follow, step-by-step guide to tackling the toughest challenges that dog each of us. She charmingly turns personal disasters into hilarious anecdotes that will seem all too familiar to every reader, then follows with a clever take away to make your life happier. What a fun way to share the wisdom she gained growing up before our eyes on the Prairie."

―Megyn Kelly

"An extraordinary personal account that is as inherently fascinating as it is informative and ultimately inspiring."―Midwest Book Review

"Francis' narrative grabs readers immediately . . . One of those intimate, heartbreaking, double-edged stories that is hard to read, impossible to put down."―Kirkus Reviews

"I am always in search of the book I can't put down...I may have missed a few nights sleep, but I am so much better for it. [Melissa's] book is captivating, revealing and ultimately healing. Who knew the kid from Little House on the Prairie had such a fascinating real-life story? I am in awe."―Hoda Kotb

"Melissa Francis' story is riveting. The book is the perfect antidote for the 'Tiger Mom' syndrome that seems to be gaining traction in today's society . . . If you want to be inspired to reach beyond what you were taught as a child, get this book now."―Melissa Gilbert, author of the bestselling "Prairie Tale: A Memoir"

"What makes Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter so compelling aren't just the behind-the-scenes details but the spirited conclusion."―Entertainment Weekly

"[A] memoir...that you will never forget. It is captivating, revealing, and had me glued to the pages."―BlogCritics.org

"[A] superb family memoir."―The Washington Post