1. In what ways do foods, history, and identity inspire your work?
Food has been a way for me to connect to both sides of my family. My father is originally from India and my mother is Jewish and grew up in Brooklyn, NY. I've enjoyed being raised in the midst of two rich food cultures. Food has also been an entryway to my family history and has created a desire to learn more about both my mother's and father's side of the family. From an early age, food, family history, and my own mixed background has deeply influenced my writing.
2. Please tell us about what has drawn you personally to storytelling.
As a young person, I turned to writing to express myself. I was a shy kid, so writing out my feelings in stories or journals helped me express things I was uncomfortable talking about. Writing and reading has always been either a way to explore questions I had or to escape to new places. I still find stories empowering that way. When everything around me feels out of my control, I can still control what happens when I write my stories and I take great comfort in that.
3. What do you believe the role of your books in middle grades/high school reading?
First and foremost, I'm a storyteller, so I try to engage the reader and provide an entertaining and emotionally satisfying experience. I also hope to lead the reader to some of their own questions about the subject matter, maybe make connections they haven't made before, and perhaps see the world a little differently. I write both contemporary and historical fiction, so for the historical aspect, I want to enhance a young readers' view about a certain time in history that they can't get from a history book. I try to inspire a curious and empathetic mindset in a young reader which they can build on over time and continue to seek out new perspectives and ask questions about things they don't understand.
Comments