Mitali Perkins has written twelve novels for young readers, including You Bring the Distant Near (Walter Dean Myers Honor Award, nominated for a National Book Award), Rickshaw Girl (New York Public Library’s Top 100 books for Children in 100 Years), Bamboo People (American Library Association’s Top Ten Novel for Young Adults) and Tiger Boy (Charlotte Huck Honor Award and South Asia Book Award.)

She has been honored as a “Most Engaging Author” by independent booksellers across the country and selected as a “Literary Light for Children” by the Associates of the Boston Public Library.

Mitali was born in Kolkata, India, before immigrating to the Bay Area with her family. She has lived in Bangladesh, India, England, Thailand, Mexico, Cameroon, and Ghana, studied at Stanford and U.C. Berkeley, and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Read more about Mitali Perkins.

PRESENTATIONS

FOR STUDENTS

HOME IS IN BETWEEN: Code Switching as a Superpower
Venue: Classrooms, Libraries, or Assemblies

In this engaging presentation for participants of any age, Mitali describes how her own experience of growing up between cultures empowered her for the rest of her life. Tailoring content for elementary, middle, high school, or adult audiences, she talks about how stories help us feel at home in the space “in between.”  Mitali reads Home is in Between aloud and responds to questions.

BETWEEN US AND ABUELA: Grandmothers, Festivals, Neighbors
Venue: K-2 Classrooms, Libraries or Assemblies

In this 30-minute presentation geared for younger students, Mitali describes her own experience of growing up far away from her grandmothers. In an engaging, age-appropriate way, she describes the festival of Las Posadas, how and why Friendship Park along the border was set up, and how the neighborly relationship between Mexico and the United States has changed. Using slides, Mitali reads Between Us and Abuela aloud and then takes questions from the children

BOOKS AS WINDOWS AND MIRRORS: Rickshaw Girl and Tiger Boy
Venue: Grades 3-5 Classrooms or Libraries

How are books both windows and mirrors to our lives? Students learn about growing up in a Bengali village as featured in the novels Rickshaw Girl and Tiger Boy. Differences and similarities between cultures are explored with laughter, props, and photos, and the author recruits volunteers to participate in a role-playing session that transports them to a Bangladeshi marketplace.

BANGLADESH 101: Rickshaw Girl and Alpana Art Lesson
Venue: Grades 2-5 Classrooms or Libraries

During this one-hour session, students learn about the author’s Bengali heritage as featured in the novel Rickshaw Girl, and how the lives of girls in Bangladesh are changing for the better. Students participate in an alpana art in lesson prepared by the author’s mother, Madhusree Bose, a California Teacher of the Year and expert alpana painter. Teachers may prepare for the visit by using this discussion/study guide.

STORIES ON THE FIRE ESCAPE
Venue: Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School Classrooms, Libraries, or Assemblies

Using a personal, humorous slide show, Mitali shares candidly about her experience of growing up and writing “between cultures,” and the power of stories to keep us balanced. Students are encouraged to participate and the author’s conversational style sparks lively responses. Read some wonderful letters from kids responding to “Stories on the Fire Escape.”

A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Weaving the Magic Carpet of Place
Venue: Workshop for Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School

Writing well about place intensifies plot and brings characters to life. In this workshop, students consider how good writing engages all five senses, underlines a literary theme, and takes readers on journeys to other places. A directed exercise allows participants to apply and demonstrate what they’ve gained from the workshop. Read samples of great writing produced by eighth-graders during the workshop, and enthusiastic student responses to the presentation.

HOW TO WRITE A MEMORY … Without Losing Your Mind
Venue: Workshop for Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School

Using modern-day examples of a hero’s journey as well as a memory from her own life, Mitali uses slides, stories, and revision examples to inspire students to dig deep, tap into all five senses, and craft a scene from a childhood memory for a personal narrative.

VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISIT: Ask Mitali Anything!
Venue: Yours, via my Mac

Classrooms or groups can chat with Mitali via Skype about writing in general, any of her books, life between cultures, or any other topic under the sun. She sits in front of her web cam with a cup of tea, you’re gathered in your venue, and the discussion flows from there.

TRAVELING COMPANIONS: Exploring the Powerful Relationship Between Mothers and Daughters
Venue: Mother-Daughter Book Clubs

In an informal, intimate setting, participants explore “traveler’s tips” for mothers and daughters who want to journey together through the years. If the group chooses to read one of Mitali’s books before the event, discussion and sharing may circle around the novel.

FOR ADULTS

JUST FICTION: Race, Culture, and Power in Books for Young Readers
Venue: Keynote

In a challenging, inspiring, practical talk for librarians, booksellers, parents, and/or educators, Mitali explores how and why stories empower kids to cross borders, widen hearts and imaginations, and build bridges between cultures. She presents ten questions that help us take a closer look at issues of race, culture, and power in fiction.

UNDER THE WATERLINE: Ten Tips on Writing about Race, Culture, and Power
Venue: Keynote or Workshop

How do we as creators of fiction avoid those dreaded flaws about race, culture, and power that might harm young readers? Mitali shares ten questions she asks herself as she crafts a story that will help other writers to deepen their narratives.

DIALOGUE: Crafting Conversation in Fiction for Young Readers
Venue: Workshop or Seminar

Writing excellent dialogue is crucial when your audience is young readers, who are finely attuned to the way both adults and their peers converse with each other. In this hands-on, interactive workshop, participants practice writing lively conversation and learn to avoid seven common dialogue busters.

A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Weaving the Magic Carpet of Place
Venue: Workshop

In this interactive, hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to weave together the three strands of plot/emotion, place, and character into a single, gripping scene. They will be equipped to engage the five senses in creating a sense of place to transport readers directly into the scene. Participants will write in class and get feedback on the spot from the instructor in a guided, positive discussion.

CALLED TO WRITE: Career + Vocation
Venue: Keynote, Writers’ Gathering

Mitali offers writers and other aficionados of children’s book an inspirational, honest talk about how to keep a firm grip on the practical, professional aspects of sustaining a career as a writer and stay true to your vocational mission.

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