received a starred review from School Library Journal, praise from Kirkus Reviews and Booklist, and was the recipient of the 2024 Millikin Medal for Excellence in Young Adult Fiction.
She grew up in Santa Barbara, California, earned her MFA in film directing from UCLA, and currently lives in Brooklyn, NY as a recovering Catholic and ex-good girl. When she’s not writing or reading, she can be found listening to endless podcasts, taking long walks through the woods (of Prospect Park), and teaching her children how to howl.
Hear Her Howl is her most recent book.
Recently I asked DeRose about what she was reading. Her reply:
I’m one of those people who has a giant TBR stack beside their bed and normally has 3-5 books I’m simultaneously reading at once (whichVisit Kim DeRose's website.never stops me from acquiring more books!). Here’s what I’m currently reading and enjoying:
Winter White by Annie Cardi
I loved Annie Cardi’s previous YA book, Red, (a retelling of The Scarlet Letter) and did several panels with Annie discussing the importance of accurately and sensitively representing sexual assault in YA fiction. So when she asked if I’d blurb Winter White I was thrilled. Once again she’s written another beautiful retelling (this time of Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale) that this time sensitively portrays a difficult dynamic within a family system. Her characters are alwaysbeautifully wrought and there’s a tenderness within her stories that I very much appreciate.
A Curious Kind of Magic by Mara Rutherford
If you’re looking for a cozy and delightful book this fall or winter, this is the one. Mara Rutherford is a writing friend and I had the privilege of hearing her read the first chapter of A Curious Kind of Magic at a writing retreat last fall (we’re in the same writer’s group, which Laini Taylor started). I was immediately hooked by this YA romantic fantasy and am so thrilled I finally have my own copy. It’s got witchy vibes, a magic curiosity shop, and a slow burn romance. All of which is to say, perfect for the season.
Beasts of Carnaval by Rosália Rodrigo
Rosália Rodrigo is another writer friend from Laini Taylor’s writing group, and this gorgeous book is her debut. It’s a Caribbean/Latino adult fantasy with themes of decolonization and reclamation, indigenous Taíno mythology, and an atmospheric island setting. Though the island in question is not exactly what it seems. I'm thoroughly enjoying this one and love both the strong characters and the lush writing.
An Amateur Witch’s Guide to Murder by K. Valentin
Yet another writing friend from Laini Taylor’s writing group (are you seeing a trend here?!). I just got my copy of K Valentin’s debut in the mail and already this queer YA romantic fantasy is laugh out loud funny. Even if she wasn’t a writing friend, I’d want to read this book stat - I mean, with a tagline like “Mateo Borrero has 99 problems - and all of them hinge on his missing bruja mother and the demon she trapped inside his body," how could I not?
Q&A with Kim DeRose.
The Page 69 Test: For Girls Who Walk through Fire.
My Book, The Movie: For Girls Who Walk through Fire.
The Page 69 Test: Hear Her Howl.
--Marshal Zeringue
Posts
