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...]
Toka Box Best Picture Book of 2022 Award!
I'm honored and thrilled that Toka Box named I’LL GO AND COME BACK a Best Picture Book of 2022 (Ages 3-5) in the Toka Box Top South Asian Children's Books of 2022 Awards! Congrats to all the winners! … [Read more...]
The Massachusetts Book Awards!
What an incredible day at the Massachusetts State House for the Massachusetts Book Awards! For the first time since 2019, there was an in-person celebration of amazing authors and books from here in Massachusetts! My husband Lou and my dad got to accompany me, and it was SO lovely to share … [Read more...]
New York State Reading Association Conference and a Charlotte Award nomination!
I was so excited to attend the NY State Reading Association Conference, where I presented, signed books, and mingled with other authors and book-lovers. I'm thrilled that my picture book SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS is a 2023 New York State Charlotte Award nominee! … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE wins the Massachusetts Book Award!
I'm so delighted and honored that the Massachusetts Center for the Book has chosen RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE as the winner of the Massachusetts Book Award in Middle Grade/Young Adult Literature! Having this book of my heart win this award in my home state means so much to m. Huge congratulations to all … [Read more...]
Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture at the Concord Festival of Authors!
I was so honored to give the Leslie Riedel Memorial Lecture at my hometown Concord Free Public Library as part of the Concord Festival of Authors! I loved talking about my path to becoming an author (with Thoreau looking over my shoulder!) and connecting with readers young and young at heart! … [Read more...]
Where Three Oceans Meet Wins a 2022 South Asia Book Award Honor!
I'm thrilled that WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET, written by me and gorgeously illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan, has been named a 2022 South Asia Book Award Honor book! Congratulations to all the winners and honorees: Srividhya Venkat, Kavita Ramachandran, Padma Venkatraman, Sheba Karim, Anuradha … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE Wins the Crystal Kite Award from New England SCBWI!
I am thrilled beyond belief that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won the 2022 Crystal Kite Award from New England SCBWI! I've been a member SCBWI since 2013, and the New England chapter is my home, where I have made so many creative friends! To have this book of my heart chosen by my peers for this honor … [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...]
MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL Wins a 2022 Mathical Honor!
I'm so thrilled that MUCH ADO ABOUT BASEBALL has won a 2022 Mathical Honor! Each year, the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) announces 2022 winners of the Mathical Book Prize, which recognizes outstanding fiction and literary nonfiction for youth ages 2-18. I'm so glad that MUCH ADO … [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 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...]
WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET Wins a 2021 Nerdy Book Club Award!
I'm so thrilled that WHERE THREE OCEANS MEET has won a 2021 Nerdy Book Club Award in the Fiction Picture Books Category! This story about a girl, her mother, and grandmother who travel together to the very tip of India and share love along the way is very close to my heart. Check out all the winners … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a School Library Journal Best Middle Grade of 2021!
I'm thrilled and honored that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has been selected as a Best Middle Grade Book of 2021 by School Library Journal alongside some stellar books by friends! See the whole list here! … [Read more...]
RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE is a 2022 NCTE Notable Verse Novel!
I'm so honored that the National Council of Teachers of English has named RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE as a 2022 Notable Verse Novel alongside some other incredible books! The Poetry Award Committee's criteria included: A narrative told in poetic form. Excellence in writing and emotional impact: … [Read more...]
SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS Wins a 2021 Massachusetts Book Award Honor!
I'm so thrilled that SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS is a 2021 Massachusetts Book Award Honor title in the Picture Book/Early Reader category! I'm delighted to see my book listed among so many incredible books. Congratulations to all the winners and honor books! … [Read more...]
A Massachusetts Book Award Honor!
I'm thrilled that MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM is a Massachusetts Book Award Honor title in Middle Grade/Young Adult category!! The story is set in a fictionalized version of my hometown of Concord, MA, which has always felt magical to me. My friend Kip Wilson's YA novel in verse, WHITE ROSE, earned the other … [Read more...]
Long List for the Massachusetts Book Award!
I'm honored that the Massachusetts Center for the Book has selected MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM for the long list for the 2020 Massachusetts Book Award for MG/YA Literature! There are so many incredible MA authors, and I'm so thrilled to be one of twelve "Must-Reads" on this list with the likes of Susan Tan, … [Read more...]