I'm so honored and thrilled that SOME OF US has won the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction Text for Younger Readers!! Huge congratulations to Vivian Kirkfield for her Honor book, ONE GIRL'S VOTE, and to the other finalists: Kate Messner, Julie Winterbottom, and Amy Hevron! Thank you to SCBWI … [Read more...]
SOME OF US is a Kirkus Best Book of 2025!
I'm so excited that Kirkus Reviews has chosen SOME OF US as a Best Book of 2025! The Kirkus starred review said: "An accessible work that’s nevertheless imbued with a sense of grandeur. . . a remarkably nuanced ode to immigrants and to citizenship . . . A moving and captivating civics lesson." … [Read more...]
SOME OF US is an SLJ Best Book of 2025!
I'm so honored that SOME OF US is a School Library Journal Best Book of 2025! The SLJ starred review said: “Informational, inspirational, and celebratory, this picture book belongs on the shelf of every library and demands to be read again and again.” … [Read more...]
FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS Launches in NYC and Boston!
I was lucky enough to launch FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS, the follow up to SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, in both New York and Boston! First, I headed to Books of Wonder to sign a huge stack of books . . . next, I headed to Books Are Magic in Brooklyn, where I read the book and enjoyed book cookies with a … [Read more...]
My Interview with Arun Rath on WGBH Boston!
I was so delighted to be interviewed by Arun Rath on WGBH Boston’s All Things Considered. The experience of reading SOME OF US aloud with Arun is indescribably thrilling, and it gave me the chills to listen to the recording! We also talked about what this book means to me personally and what I … [Read more...]
A wonderful launch for SOME OF US!
I had a fabulous launch with readers, friends, and family for SOME OF US at the Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton, MA! This book about immigration and naturalization is so important to me, and I'm so grateful it's out in the world! … [Read more...]
My Interview on WBZ-TV Boston!
I loved being on WBZ-TV Boston with Anna Meiler and Tammy Mutasa talking about writing and books, including my forthcoming nonfiction picture book about immigration and naturalization, SOME OF US!! I also talked about my YA novel coming next year, and gave a shoutout to The Silver Unicorn … [Read more...]
A STAR for FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS!
The first trade review is in for FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS, and it's a STARRED REVIEW from Kirkus Reviews! This sweet story features Ravi, the protagonist from SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS, as he navigates the beginning of school and the beginning of friendship. Abhi Alwar's energetic illustrations are … [Read more...]
The Book Trailer for SOME OF US!
I’m delighted to share the book trailer for SOME OF US: A STORY OF CITIZENSHIP AND THE UNITED STATES!! ❤️🤍💙📚🇺🇸 This book means so much to everyone working on it, and we can’t wait to share it with the world!! SOME OF US releases May 27; please preorder today!! Join me for the book launch … [Read more...]
A Third Star for SOME OF US!
I'm just blown away that SOME OF US has received a THIRD starred review—this one from School Library Journal! SOME OF US releases May 27 and is available for preorder today! … [Read more...]
SOME OF US is an Indie Next Pick!
I'm SO thrilled that SOME OF US is a KIDS’ INDIE NEXT pick for May/June 2025!! Huge thanks to the American Booksellers Association and all the independent booksellers who voted for it!! SOME OF US releases on May 27 and is available for preorder today! Please preorder at your local independent … [Read more...]
Another STAR for SOME OF US!
So honored that SOME OF US has received another starred review—this one from Kirkus Reviews! SOME OF US releases on May 27 and is available for preorder today! Please join me for the June 7 launch at Silver Unicorn Bookstore! … [Read more...]
The Cover Reveal for SOME OF US!
I’m delighted to reveal the cover for SOME OF US: A Story of Citizenship and the United States, written by me and gorgeously illustrated by Huy Voun Lee, coming May 2025 from Christy Ottaviano Books / Little, Brown Books for Young Readers!Some of us are citizens by birth. Some of us are born outside … [Read more...]
FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS, Coming in Fall 2025!
I'm SO thrilled to be working with amazing Abhi Alwar again on a new picture book, FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS, coming from Abrams Books in fall 2025! FALL IS FOR BEGINNINGS features lots of things we love about the season — a new school year, leaf pile jumping, and friendships, old and new.❤️📚🍁 … [Read more...]
SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is a Bank Street College Irma Black Silver Medalist!
I'm so honored that SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is a Bank Street College of Education Center for Children's Literature 2024 Irma Black Silver Medalist! The Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature (Irma Black Award) goes to an outstanding book for young … [Read more...]
SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS on the Mass Book Award Longlist!
I'm SO thrilled and honored that SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is on the longlist for the Massachusetts Book Award in the Picture Book/Early Reader Category! I’m so lucky to be in a state among such literary elite!! … [Read more...]
VIBHI AND THE VOICE, Coming in 2026!
I'm incredibly honored that my 2026 picture book VIBHI AND THE VOICE will be illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Cindy Derby!!! This is a story about a girl who’s afraid the dark…until she meets a girl made of darkness who’s afraid of light. Candlewick Press will publish the book in fall 2026!! … [Read more...]
A New Picture Book Announcement — SIDE BY SIDE!
I have a new picture book coming in 2026! SIDE BY SIDE celebrates all we do while next to each other, when face to face feels like too much. 💗 I’m thrilled that Brizida Magro will illustrate! … [Read more...]
Cover Reveal for MAUNTIE AND ME!!
I'm delighted to share the cover of MAUNTIE AND ME, written by me and illustrated by Nadia Alam, coming from Candlewick Press on November 12, 2024! Priya loves having her favorite aunt, Mauntie—short for "My Auntie"—all to herself. But what happens when cousin Aditi visits and wants to spend … [Read more...]
SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS is a Chicago Public Library Best Picture Book of 2023!
I'm THRILLED that SUMMER IS FOR COUSINS by Abhi Alwar and me is on Chicago Public Library's list of Best Board and Picture Books of 2023! It's an extraordinary list, and I'm honored to see our book on it! … [Read more...]