Representation Matters

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 Jasmine Toguchi Brave Explorer, book 5 in the Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series. Many thanks to Team Toguchi at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, editor Grace Kendall, illustrator Elizabet Vukovic, designer Angela Jun, and always to my agent Tricia Lawrence! Look for this book on September… 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 »

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and in honor of it, today I’m sharing some blurbs for Keep It Together, Keiko Carter from the amazing AAPI community. I’m also giving away a signed copy of my book – all you have to do is comment on my Twitter or IG post and a… Read more »

Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, my middle grade debut novel, will be celebrating a book birthday on May 5! After years of writing, revising, submitting, collecting rejections, writing, and revising, this story of my heart will be a real book with readers and I’m so excited to celebrate! Below is the schedule for the launch… Read more »