I grew up in Europe, Africa, Canada, and the United States, and was a lawyer before I figured out what I really wanted to be when I grew up—a writer! I take my inspiration from the world around me and from my personal experiences, including my childhood attending 8 schools. Learn more on my Bio page.
I travel a fair amount (although these days it's on Zoom), give speeches, "visit" schools, etc. and try keep up my website in between. Writing time is precious -- I'm currently working on several novels: middle grade, young adult, and even adult, and some picture books. My new novel is LILY'S PROMISE (Quill Tree/HarperCollins, May 2021), and there are two upcoming picture books: ALL OF US (Philomel/Penguin, May 2021) and MY DAD'S A DJ with Keith Henry Brown, illustrator and co-author (Farrar, Straus & Giroux/MacMillan, Summer 2021). Click on the book jackets, above, for more info! |
September 18, 2017
My favorite review line for THE INCREDIBLE MAGIC OF BEING (from School Library Journal): "Julian's distinctive narration, awash in supernatural perceptions as well as a nine-year-old's natural misconceptions, is a tour de force....Touching contemporary magical realism, with a final twist that truly surprises." |
September 18, 2017
STARRED REVIEW for MAMA AFRICA! From Kirkus: "An excellent perspective from which American readers can learn about apartheid and one of the pioneers who fought it through her art." Also, illustrator Charly Palmer's artwork for MAMA AFRICA has been accepted by the Society of Illustrators for their "The Original Art" exhibit, highlighting the best artwork for children's books, 2017. Congratulations, Charly! |
December 2, 2016
So thrilled to announce my new novel, THE INCREDIBLE MAGIC OF BEING! Publishing Fall 2017 (Scholastic) It's what happens when you take a boy named Julian, his anxiety, a telescope, a treehouse, a life jacket, a Styrofoam boat, s'mores, even a statue of the BVM (as Julian would say, "Look it up"), and shake them up with a lot of personalities ... they turn into what I hope is great ride. Short version: Like MOCKINGBIRD, only funny. http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/72157-rights-report-week-of-november-28-2016.html |
July 3, 2015
Mama Africa, my first picture book, is a go! Here's the blurb from Publishers Weekly: Grace Kendall at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has bought Mockingbird author Kathryn Erskine's debut picture book, Mama Africa, to be illustrated by Charly Palmer, also a debut. The book tells the story of Grammy Award-winning South African singer and civil-rights activist Miriam Makeba, who brought global attention to the injustice of apartheid through her music while in exile. Publication is tentatively set for 2017; Linda Pratt at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the author; the illustrator represented himself. I can't wait to share her story -- and to see the stunning illustrations from Charly Palmer! |