Middle Grade

This is where you will find a full and updated list of reviews and news about This Is How I Roll! “A delightful middle grade rom-com that will leave readers hungry.” – Kirkus Reviews  Read the full Kirkus review here. “Written in a clear, straightforward style, the story includes mouth-watering descriptions of Japanese food, with… Read more »

I’m so excited for the upcoming launch party for Sweet and Sour at Bank Square Books in Mystic CT on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 3 PM! It is particularly special to be celebrating at this bookstore because the book is set in Mystic, and that’s Bank Square Books on the cover of the book. There… Read more »

I’m so thrilled to announce the pre-order campaign for my newest middle grade book, Sweet and Sour (September 6, 2022)! This is a book of my heart about childhood friendships set in Mystic, CT. I love love love the cover – big thanks to artist Jacqueline Li and cover designer Stephanie Yang. That’s my local… Read more »

This is where you’ll find a full and updated list of all reviews and news about Sweet and Sour! This is the playlist I listened to while writing Sweet and Sour: Apple Music Sweet and Sour Playlist “An endearing book exploring the ups and downs of friendship.”  Read the full review from Kirkus. “… uplifting… Read more »

I’m thrilled to share the cover of my next middle grade novel: Sweet and Sour! Sweet and Sour, Scholastic/September 6, 2022 I love everything about this cover – how Mai and Zach are looking at each other, Bank Square Books in the background, the BT21 Cooky plush keychain on Mai’s tote bag, the clothes Mai… Read more »

Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, a companion novel to Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, publishes on August 3, 2021. First heartbreaks. Fierce competition. Family Drama. Who knew middle school would be so hard? I’m pleased to announce that you can pre-order the book now. If you pre-order from my local independent bookstore Bank Square Books/Savoy… Read more »

This is where you’ll find updated news and links to reviews and interviews. I’ll be updating regularly. Thanks for all your support! Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai is available now! August 3, 2021 (Scholastic) “Heartbreak is for suckers.” When Jenna Sakai gets dumped over winter break, it confirms what she learned from her parents’ messy… Read more »

The galleys of Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai are landing in mailboxes! This is always an exciting and nerve-wracking time for an author. It’s like letting your baby go into the world. The story and characters went from being in my head, in a file on my laptop, to printed pages – from being mine… Read more »

I am thrilled that Keep It Together, Keiko Carter is a 2020-2021 Project LIT Book Club selection! Knowing that teachers and librarians will be sharing my book with their students brings me so much joy. Thank you Project LIT for this honor!

I’m super excited to be a participating author in Tweens Read 2020 which is going virtual this year. The event will take place October 19 – 24. More information coming soon!