I'm SO thrilled that SOME OF US: A STORY OF CITIZENSHIP AND AMERICA will be illustrated by amazing Huy Voun Lee and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in 2025! As an immigrant and a naturalized citizen, this book is very important to me, and I can't wait to share it with the … [Read more...]
Cover Reveal for YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART!
I'm so thrilled to show you the cover of my nonfiction picture book, YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART! I first drafted this book way back in 2013, and called it "The Hardest Working Muscle." I always intended it to be a lyrical nonfiction book, but I couldn't figure out how to bring it all together. I … [Read more...]
I’LL GO AND COME BACK a Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2022!
It was a thrill seeing I'LL GO AND COME BACK included on the Chicago Public Library list of Best Picture Books of 2022! … [Read more...]
A New Middle Grade Novel!
The only thing better than writing a book is writing a book with a dear friend—Chris Baron!! Chris and I are so thrilled to be working on THE SECRET OF THE DRAGON GEMS, our nerdy, out-of-this-world epistolary novel with Charlie Ilgunas at Little Bee Books! We're eternally grateful to our agents, … [Read more...]
Four More Novels!
I'm out of my mind THRILLED that I get to write FOUR more books with QuillTreeBooks / HarperCollins!! I've got two more middle grade and two young adult (eek!) novels coming from 2024-2027!! My forthcoming books include a fantasy (THE SOUND OF MAGIC), a contemporary (NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH), a … [Read more...]
A Fun New Picture Book—MAUNTIE, coming in 2024!
I’m thrilled to announce that I have another picture book coming with Candlewick Press in 2024!! Mauntie is about a little girl who loves her favorite auntie...and finds it really hard to share her. This story featuring family, food, and riddles will be illustrated by amazing Nadia Alam!! I can’t … [Read more...]
A Timely New Nonfiction Picture Book!
I've been waiting a long time to announce that my picture book, A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY, illustrated by amazing Kathleen Marcotte, will release in 2023 with Little Bee Books! As a doctor, I'm thrilled to share this book about the history and science of vaccines with young readers! … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Wins a Golden Kite Award!
On March 15, I joined the Golden Kite Award finalists and hundreds of other SCBWI members for the virtual Golden Kite Awards! Although we couldn't meet in person, it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces (including Jason Reynolds, who gave an amazing keynote address!) and lovely comments in … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a 2022 SCBWI Golden Kite Award Finalist!
I'm thrilled that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a 2022 SCBWI Golden Kite Award Middle Grade Finalist! I've learned so much and met so many incredible people through SCBWI, and I'm honored to see my book recognized in this way! The virtual awards ceremony will take place on March 15! See the complete list … [Read more...]
A Star for I’LL GO AND COME BACK!
I'm thrilled and honored that my forthcoming picture book, I'LL GO AND COME BACK, has received a STARRED review from Publishers Weekly! This story, inspired by my own grandmother, is about a grandmother and granddaughter, and loves that flies across the world. I'LL GO AND COME BACK is gorgeously … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Wins a 2022 Newbery Honor!
I'm over the moon that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won a Newbery Honor Award!! Given to "most distinguished American children's book published the previous year," this is the oldest children's book award in the world! I'm so grateful to the Newbery Committee and the American Library Association for … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won the 2022 Walter Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature!
I'm utterly thrilled and honored that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won the 2022 Walter Dean Myers Award for Younger Readers! The Walter Awards are given by We Need Diverse Books to works of outstanding children's literature that celebrate diversity. When I first wrote this book of my heart, I wasn't … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a 2021 Cybils Award Finalist in Poetry!
I'm so delighted that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has been chosen by bloggers as a finalist in the poetry category for the 2021 Cybils Awards! Check out the full list here! … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Wins a 2021 Nerdy Book Club Award!
I'm absolutely thrilled that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won a 2021 Nerdy in the Poetry/Verse Novel Category! I'm honored that this book of my heart has touched so many. Take a look at all the winners! … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a New England Book Award Finalist!
I'm honored and delighted that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has been named by the New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA) as a New England Book Award Finalist! I'm thrilled to see this book of my heart among so many incredible books! The award winners will be announced in the fall. See the … [Read more...]
A New, Summery Picture Book for 2023!
I'm SO excited that I will have another picture book with Abrams Kids in 2023! And I'm thrilled that amazing Abhi Alwar will illustrate this sweet summer story about family, sun, and ice cream! I can’t wait for SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS! … [Read more...]
A New Picture Book Full of Heart!
I'm so delighted to announce that I have a new nonfiction picture book in the works! As a kid, I fell in love with the wonder of how the human body works. As a doctor and an author, I'm still in awe. I'm so thrilled to share YOUR ONE AND ONLY HEART, a poetic picture book tribute to this most … [Read more...]
A New (Little Golden) Book!
I am THRILLED to announce that I wrote a Little Golden Book about our wonderful Vice President, Kamala Harris! I'm so honored to have my name on a Little Golden Book—they have been among my favorites since I was little! Vice President Harris is the first in so many ways, and as a woman and an … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a Spring 2021 Kids’ Indie Next Top Ten Title!
I'm so thrilled and honored that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is an American Booksellers Association Spring 2021 Kids' Indie Next Top Ten Title! Living in New England, we are fortunate to have so many independent bookstores who help readers and authors alike, and I'm so grateful for their support! See the … [Read more...]
The Pitch Wars 2020 Team PITA Mentor Wish List!
Welcome! Welcome to Pitch Wars 2020!! This year, Remy Lai and I are mentoring Middle Grade. What exactly is Pitch Wars? It's a mentoring program for unagented writers. You can read more about it here. We’ll get to our wish list in a moment, but first, a little about us, your potential … [Read more...]