She was born in the
Chicago metropolitan area and currently lives in
Wyoming. Standefer's book
Lightning Flowers: My Journey to Uncover the Cost of Saving A Life was a non-fiction finalist for the
Kirkus Prize in 2020. She has also written for
High Country News and the
Los Angeles Times. In 2018, Standefer was a Logan Nonfiction Fellow at The Carey Institute for Global Good in Rensselaerville, New York.
Lightning Flowers: My Journey to Uncover the Cost of Saving A Life was also a
New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice/Staff Pick and a NYTBR's Group Text Pick. It was named one of the Best Books of Fall 2020 by
O, The Oprah Magazine. Standefer's work appeared in
The Best American Essays (BAE) 2016. ==Awards and recognition==