From award-winning author Mitali Perkins comes her timely debut picture book about love overcoming the border fences between Mexico and the United States.
Mitali Perkins Book order
Mitali Perkins crafts compelling narratives that often explore themes of identity, family, and cultural connection, enriching the literary landscape for young readers. Her works are celebrated for their insightful exploration of complex relationships and their ability to resonate with audiences of all ages. Perkins develops characters that reflect the world's diversity while delving into timeless human experiences. Her distinctive voice brings a fresh perspective to young adult literature, prompting thoughtful engagement from readers.






- 2024
- 2023
Holy Night and Little Star
A Story for Christmas
The narrative centers on Little Star, who feels anxious about the impending Holy Night. Through Maker's supportive guidance, the inspiring presence of other celestial bodies, and the arrival of a remarkable Baby, she learns to embrace change without fear. This retelling of the Nativity story highlights themes of reassurance, growth, and the constancy of Maker's love amidst transformation.
- 2023
In her debut middle-grade novel, National Book Award Nominee Mitali Perkins explores grief, friendship, family, and growing up in a community facing a housing crisis. Twelve-year-old Indian-American Pandita Paul doesn't like change. She's not ready to start middle school and leave the comforts of childhood behind. Most of all, Pandita doesn't want to feel like she's leaving her mother, who died a few years ago, behind. After a falling out with her best friend, Pandita is planning to spend most of her summer break reading and writing in her favorite secret space: the abandoned but majestic mansion across the street. But then the unthinkable happens. The town announces that the old home will be bulldozed in favor of new—maybe affordable—housing. With her family on opposing sides of the issue, Pandita must find her voice—and the strength to move on—in order to give her community hope.
- 2022
Told through the eyes of fictional characters Bare Tree and Little Wind, this children's picture book presents the biblical narrative of Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. It offers a unique perspective on these significant events, engaging young readers with imaginative storytelling while conveying important themes of faith and renewal.
- 2022
"A lyrical exploration of the relationship between the natural elements, humanity, and God"--
- 2021
Join award-winning author Mitali Perkins as she explores the promise of seven timeless children's novels for adults living in uncertain times. Through works by Louisa May Alcott, C. S. Lewis, L. M. Montgomery, Frances Hodgson Burnett, and other literary "uncles" and "aunts," Perkins unpacks wisdom to help us thrive.
- 2021
Home Is in Between
- 40 pages
- 2 hours of reading
From National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins comes a sweet and innovative picture book about a first-generation immigrant child living in America.
- 2019
FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU
- 432 pages
- 16 hours of reading
The award-winning author of You Bring the Distant Near explores identity, homecoming, and the legacy of assault in this personal and ambitious new novel. Katina King is the reigning teen jujitsu champion of Northern California, but she’s having trouble fighting off the secrets in her past. Robin Thornton was adopted from an orphanage in India and is reluctant to take on his future. If he can’t find his roots, how can he possibly plan ahead? Robin and Kat meet in the most unlikely of places—a summer service trip to Kolkata to work with survivors of human trafficking. As bonds build between the travelmates, Robin and Kat discover that justice and healing are tangled, like the pain of their pasts and the hope for their futures. You can’t rewind life; sometimes you just have to push play. In turns heart wrenching, beautiful, and buoyant, Mitali Perkins's Forward Me Back to You focuses its lens on the ripple effects of violence—across borders and generations—and how small acts of heroism can break the cycle. This title has Common Core connections.
- 2018
You Bring the Distant Near
- 340 pages
- 12 hours of reading
The narrative unfolds through the alternating perspectives of teenagers across three generations, highlighting the immigrant experience of a single family. With a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, it delves into themes of sisterhood, first loves, and friendship, while examining the complexities of cultural inheritance. The story captures the challenges and joys of navigating identity and relationships within the context of their heritage.
- 2015
Tiger Boy
- 144 pages
- 6 hours of reading
“One of the new tiger cubs has escaped from the reserve!” When a tiger cub escapes from a nature reserve near Neel’s island village, the rangers and villagers hurry to find her before the cub’s anxious mother follows suit and endangers them all. Mr. Gupta, a rich newcomer to the island, is also searching—he wants to sell the cub’s body parts on the black market. Neel and his sister, Rupa, resolve to find the cub first and bring her back to the reserve where she belongs. The hunt for the cub interrupts Neel’s preparations for an exam to win a prestigious scholarship at a boarding school far from home. Neel doesn’t mind—he dreads the exam and would rather stay on his beloved island in the Sunderbans of West Bengal with his family and friends. But through his encounter with the cub, Neil learns that sometimes you have to take risks to preserve what you love. And sometimes you have to sacrifice the present for the chance to improve the future. Awards & Honors • Notable Books for a Global Society • NCTE Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction (Honorable Mention) • CBC-NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People • A Junior Library Guild Selection • CCBC Choices • 2017 North Dakota Library Association Flicker Tale Children's Book Award nominee, intermediate fiction • 2016 South Asia Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature