Book News
Hello friends! I was stunned and overjoyed to learn that AMINA’S SONG was selected to win the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature last month. Thanks so much to all of you for your warm wishes and congratulations! I‘m grateful that Amina’s story will hopefully get into the hands of more readers through this wonderful honor!
To celebrate the APALA award and thank you all for your support, I’d love to send those of you who are interested a set of these lovely double-sided AMINA bookmarks created by my publisher for your classroom, library, or book club! Please specify a quantity from 0-50 in increments of 10 that you would like and share a US mailing address. I’ll send them out while supplies last!
Also, in case you missed it, we revealed the cover of the second book in the ZARA’S RULES series last week on the WNDB blog. Here it is for your viewing pleasure!
I get asked “what is your favorite book that you wrote” by kids ALL THE TIME, and I honestly have never had an answer. Until now. This might actually be my favorite book of mine. And my favorite cover. I can’t wait for the series to launch April 19 and for you all to get to know Zara!
Resources
I wanted to remind you of the excellent discussion guides that were created for both AMINA’S VOICE and AMINA’S SONG, available on my website.
What I’m Reading
I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of Emma Otheguy’s recent middle grade release, SOFÍA ACOSTA MAKES A SCENE, and just got a beautiful hard cover version of it in the mail. I’ve started to reread this heartwarming and relatable story of a girl and her Cuban American community as she tries to understand the meaning of immigration, community, and friendship. I recommend it for fans of MERCI SUÁREZ (who I adore!).
REMINDER
ONE SUN AND COUNTLESS STARS: A MUSLIM BOOK OF NUMBERS, my newest picture book, releases in less than three weeks. Please reserve your copy if you haven’t already and have it in your hands in time for Ramadan and Eid!