Starfish

Description

A William C. Morris Award Finalist A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens of 2017 A Junior Library Guild Selection 'The best YA debut novel of the year.' - Paste Magazine 'This book is a gem.' - BookRiot 'An empowering novel that will speak to many mixed-race teens.' - Publishers Weekly (starred review) 'Dazzling.' - Bustle A half-Japanese teen grapples with social anxiety and her narcissist mother in the wake of a crushing rejection from art school in this 'stunningly beautiful, highly nuanced debut' (Booklist, starred review). A gorgeous and emotionally resonant debut novel about a half-Japanese teen who grapples with social anxiety and her narcissist mother in the wake of a crushing rejection from art school. Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she's thinking. With a mother who makes her feel unremarkable and a half-Japanese heritage she doesn't quite understand, Kiko prefers to keep her head down, certain that once she makes it into her dream art school, Prism, her real life will begin. But then Kiko doesn't get into Prism, at the same time her abusive uncle moves back in with her family. So when she receives an invitation from her childhood friend to leave her small town and tour art schools on the west coast, Kiko jumps at the opportunity in spite of the anxieties and fears that attempt to hold her back. And now that she is finally free to be her own person outside the constricting walls of her home life, Kiko learns life-changing truths about herself, her past, and how to be brave. From debut author Akemi Dawn Bowman comes a luminous, heartbreaking story of identity, family, and the beauty that emerges when we embrace our true selves.

Akemi Dawn Bowman is the author of Starfish. She's a proud Ravenclaw and Star Wars enthusiast, who served in the US Navy for five years and has a BA in social sciences from UNLV. Originally from Las Vegas, she currently lives in Great Sutton with her husband, two children, and their Pekingese mix.

"Utterly uplifting" - Stylist Magazine; "Dazzling" - Bustle; "This book is a gem" - Book Riot; "The best YA debut novel of the year" - Paste Magazine; "In an empowering novel that will speak to many mixed-race teens, debut author Bowman has created a cast of realistically complex and conflicted characters." - Publisher's Weekly; "Starfish is a stunningly beautiful, highly nuanced debut." - Booklist; "A book you absolutely cannot miss ... A heart-wrenching story that tackles abuse, racism and identity, making it one of the most compelling reads of the year." - Paste Magazine; "A deep and engaging story that will not only entertain but also may encourage readers to live their best lives." - School Library Journal; "I want everyone to read this book." - Brandy Colbert, author of Little & Lion; "A vibrant, complex and heartfelt story about finding your place in a sharp-edged world that never makes it easy." - Kelly Loy Gilbert, author of Conviction; "Bowman's quietly dazzling novel gave me the sensation of looking into a mirror. This story is a knockout." - Riley Redgate, author of Noteworthy; `A brave, unfiltered look into a young girl's attempt to find herself in the face of abuse and rejection. It will break your heart and then piece it back together again.' - Sandhya Menon, NYT bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi; `Utterly beautiful' - Sara Barnard, author of Beautiful Broken Things; `I want everyone to read this book.' - Brandy Colbert, author of Little & Lion