Starfish

"Dazzling" – Bustle

"This book is a gem" – Book Riot

"The best YA debut novel of the year" – Paste Magazine

26 of the best books to read this summer 2018 – Cosmopolitan

"Utterly uplifting" – Stylist Magazine

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 as 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 transformative truths about herself, her past, and how to be brave.

A luminous, heartbreaking story of identity, family, and the beauty that emerges when we embrace our true selves.

Praise for Starfish:

A Junior Library Guild Selection

A William C Morris Award Finalist

New York Public Library – Best Books for Teens 2017

"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, New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi