Kelly Yang is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over 15 books for children, teens and adults, including the Front Desk series (Front Desk, Three Keys, Room to Dream, Key Player, Top Story, and Chef’s Secret), New From Here, Finally Seen, Finally Heard, young adult novels Parachutes and Private Label, adult novel The Take, as well as the picture books Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country and Little Bird Laila.
Based on Kelly’s childhood experience living and working in a motel as a first-generation immigrant child from China, her debut novel Front Desk was named “one of the best books of the 21st century” by Kirkus Reviews. Her books have earned multiple awards, including the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature, the California Young Reader Medal, the Parents’ Choice Gold Medal, the Strega Prize for literature in Italy, and have featured on multiple best of the year lists, including Amazon Best Book of the Year, Washington Post Best Book of the Year, Kirkus Best Book of the Year, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, NPR Best Book of the Year, and Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year.
Kelly immigrated to the United States when she was six years old and grew up in Southern California. She went to university at the age of 13 and law school at the age of 17. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and Harvard Law School. Her experience going to school early provided Kelly a unique perspective on aging, which she used to write The Take, her adult debut novel.
Kelly is the founder of The Kelly Yang Project in Hong Kong, the leading writing and debating program for kids in Asia. She’s written op-eds for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. In addition to being a novelist, she is also a screenwriter. She has written screenplays and television pilots for Netflix, CBS Studios, and the CW. In 2023, she served as the Honorary Chair of the American Library Association for National Library Week.
A passionate and dynamic speaker, Kelly has appeared on Good Morning America, NPR, NBC, ABC, and frequently gives interviews to The New York Times, Oprah Magazine, as well as many other publications. She is also the co-host of the podcast StoryKind with Kate DiCamillo. She has three children and lives in Los Angeles.
Sample of Presentations
How I Went from Managing the FRONT DESK of a Motel to Becoming a Best-Selling, Award-Winning Author! (45-60min) Tailored to students and to adults.
Kelly Yang talks about finding the courage to write FRONT DESK, her multiple award-winning, bestselling series, breaking down barriers for Asian American authors and what representation in literature means for the next generation.
When You Find Your Life Derailed, How To Build Yourself Back Up: A Survivor’s Story (High Schools – 45-60min talk)
Powerhouse children’s book author Kelly Yang speaks candidly to teenagers about an experience in her life which derailed her as a student and a young woman. A first generation immigrant, Kelly overcame poverty to become the youngest woman to attend Harvard Law School at the age of 17. The last thing she ever expected to happen to her at Harvard Law School was sexual assault.
Kelly opens up to teens about consent, her trial in Harvard’s mini-court system, the injustice of the verdict, the toll on her immigrant parents, and the experience of having her goals and identity derailed by this experience. As heart-breaking as the trial was, Kelly refused to let the experience wipe her out. She talks about bravely putting herself back together afterwards, piece by piece. In her inspiring talk, she unpacks how she searched deep down inside her and found the pieces of her identity that could not be taken away, no matter what.
She talks about finding the courage to write her critically acclaimed young adult novel Parachutes, and embracing her survivorship. Sometimes an experience can derail you, but you never know what can bloom from the aftermath.
Combining pain, resilience, and humor in Kelly’s signature dynamic and relatable speaking style, this inspiring talk will open your students’ eyes and leave them better prepared to navigate their young adult lives!
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Availability and Honorariums
Please contact Carmen Oliver for rates and availability.
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