Ink and Ashes

Hardcover

Best Books, Kirkus Reviews
Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education
New Visions Award Winner, Tu Books
Junior Library Guild Selection
Asian/Pacific American Award Honor for Literature, Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)

In this heart-pounding YA mystery, teenager Claire Takata stumbles on a secret from the past and must race to outrun her father's dangerous legacy.

Claire Takata has never known much about her father, who passed away ten years ago. But on the anniversary of his death, she finds a letter from her deceased father to her stepfather. Before now, Claire never had a reason to believe they even knew each other.

Struggling to understand why her parents kept this surprising history hidden, Claire combs through anything that might give her information about her father ... until she discovers that he was a member of the yakuza, a Japanese organized crime syndicate. The discovery opens a door that should have been left closed.

The race to outrun her father's legacy reveals secrets of his past that cast ominous shadows, threatening Claire, her friends and family, her newfound love, and ultimately her life. Winner of Tu Books' New Visions Award, Ink and Ashes is a fascinating debut novel packed with romance, intrigue, and heart-stopping action.

Author: Valynne Maetani
Publisher: Tu Books
Published: 06/01/2015
Pages: 368
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.80w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781620142110

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5
Point Value: 15
Interest Level: Middle Grade Plus
Quiz #/Name: 174393 / Ink and Ashes
Award: Texas Lone Star Reading List - Commended


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2015
Romantic Times 06/01/2015 pg. 62 - Excellent
School Library Journal 05/01/2015 pg. 114
Kirkus Reviews 05/15/2015 pg. 66
Publishers Weekly 06/22/2015
Booklist 07/01/2015 pg. 55
Shelf Awareness 07/10/2015
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2015
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2015 pg. 130 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw
Kirkus Best Young-Adult Books 12/01/2015 pg. 63
About the Author
Maetani, Valynne: -

Valynne Maetani grew up in Utah and obtained a Bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. In a former life, she was a project manager and developed educational software for children with learning disabilities. Her debut novel, Ink and Ashes, is the winner of the 2013 New Visions Award and a Junior Library Guild 2015 selection. Maetani is a member of the We Need Diverse Books team and is dedicated to promoting diversity in children's literature because all children should grow up believing their stories deserve to be told.