 KidLit in Color author, Valerie Bolling, was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview her KidLit in Color sister, Tina Athaide, about her debut middle grade novel, Wings to Soar. Let’s learn more about this special book… Tina, what’s your one-liner to describe Wings to Soar? A powerful middle-grade novel-in-verse that captures a refugee girl's resilience and hope as she navigates hate, loss, and the search for her missing father in 1970s England. Wow! That one-liner will certainly make people want to read this book! Please tell me how this book came to be. Wings to Soar is more than a story—it's a healing gift to “little Tina,” a way to process the early childhood experiences that shaped my life. The decision to write this novel in verse, with white space on the pages, is deliberate; it mirrors the pauses, the breaths, and the moments of silence that are so much a part of navigating trauma and uncertainty. At the same time, this book is a gift to my students, especially struggling readers. The white space serves as an accessible pathway for kids who might otherwise feel overwhelmed by a dense narrative, as well as providing them with a narrative that shows the power of perseverance and the importance of finding light in challenging times. I love that Wings to Soar is both a gift to your younger self as well as to your students. What you said about what the space on the page allows is a gift in itself – both a reminder to breathe and reflect and an invitation to struggling readers. Speaking of writing for the reader, share with us how you cross between writing novels and picture books. Do you have a preference or “sweet spot?” I don’t know if I have a “sweet spot,” but crossing between writing novels and picture books allows me to explore a wide range of themes and tones. My middle-grade novels often dive into more serious subjects. These stories give me the space to tackle tough issues with the nuance they deserve. When I switch to writing picture books, I embrace the opportunity to celebrate the lighter, more humorous aspects of life, capturing the joy, curiosity, and whimsy of childhood. Picture books allow me to create moments of laughter and wonder for young readers. What type of writer are you, Tina? Are you a plotter or pantser? Do you have any writing routines? I like to call myself a plotter when crafting my books—really, I do. I even go so far as to write out basic outlines, color-coded and everything. But then, inevitably, my true nature busts out... and, suddenly, I'm a full-blown pantser, leaping from idea to idea like an over-caffeinated squirrel. The outline becomes more of a suggestion, and the story takes on a life of its own, dragging me along for the ride. Who needs a roadmap when the detours are so much fun? Balancing these two forms lets me honor both the serious and the silly in life, offering stories that resonate with children at different stages and emotional experiences, all while reflecting the rich tapestry of South Asian heritage. I laughed at the image of an over-caffeinated squirrel! What’s your involvement in the writing community? I wouldn’t be where I am today without my writing community. SCBWI has connected me with amazing writers and illustrators, giving me a sense of belonging. Kidlit in Color has been especially meaningful, surrounding me with supportive authors of color who share my passion for diverse stories. Attending and speaking at conferences is always a highlight—I love learning from the pros, meeting fellow writers, and staying inspired. These connections and experiences keep me grounded and excited to keep creating stories. How do you hope readers will experience this book? What suggestions do you have for parents and teachers who read this book to children? I hope readers experience Wings to Soar as a journey of resilience, hope, and the power of friendship during challenging times. I want them to connect with Viva's struggles and triumphs, feeling both the weight of her challenges and the light of her determination. Beyond Viva's personal story, I hope readers gain insight into a significant historical event—the expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972—and learn about the incredible resilience of the people who lived through it. For parents and teachers reading this book to children, I suggest using it as a starting point for discussions about the refugee experience, racism, and the importance of family and community. Encourage young readers to reflect on how they can support others who may be facing difficult circumstances. Since the book is written in verse with thoughtful use of white space, allow children to pause and absorb the emotions and messages in each poem, giving them the space to ask questions, share their thoughts, and connect the past to the present. Those are great suggestions, Tina. What book(s) can we look forward to next from you? Sunshine in the Monsoons is my new picture book that follows Mira as she seeks out the hidden joy of the rainy season, missing the bright umbrella-twirling, puddle-jumping fun she once shared with her grandmother. As thunder roars and rain pours, Mira and her brother embark on a quest to find sunshine in the monsoons to bring back to their grandmother. [HarperCollins, Aug. 2025] We’ll look forward to that book next year. Thanks so much for chatting with me, Tina, on the KidLit in Color blog. Wings to Soar is available wherever books are sold. Tina encourages readers to support their local bookstore.  Tina Athaide is a children’s book author who writes stories to capture the texture and richness of a wide scope of cultural experiences, recent or distant, with the hope to open readers’ hearts. She was born in Entebbe, and after leaving Uganda, she immigrated with her family to Canada from England. Believing that books can present different experiences to children in an organic, natural way, she started publishing early literacy readers for the educational market before her debut MG book, Orange for the Sunsets, and picture book, Meena’s Mindful Moment.
For more about Tina and her books, please visit: Website: http://www.tinaathaide.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004255516156 X: https://x.com/tathaide Instagram: https://instagram.com/tinaathaide
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 What was your inspiration for MAMIE TAPE FIGHTS TO GO TO SCHOOL? I’m a former lawyer and first learned about Mamie while researching Asian American civil rights cases. I grew up just across the bay from San Francisco, where Mamie fought to attend her neighborhood school and, like Mamie, am the daughter of Chinese immigrants, so I was surprised I hadn’t learned her story. It stuck in my mind as something more people should know, but it wasn’t until the pandemic hit and anti-Asian hate was on the rise, that I truly felt compelled to write this book. Please tell us about your writing process. What kind of research did you do for your book? How long did it take you to write and sell this book? etc. I started with the legal research – Mamie’s California Supreme Court decision, Tape v. Hurley, and all the documents filed in her case. I also read books and journal articles to get a good overview, then went more specific, listening to a recorded interview of Mamie Tape from 1972 (shortly before she passed away), and interviewing some of Mamie’s relatives, including her eldest great-granddaughter who lived with Mamie while growing up. A big source of my information came from the dozens of newspapers from the 1880s that reported on Mamie’s case. Even though they often reflected the anti-Chinese bias of the time, they were the most immediate accounts of what happened and helped paint of picture of how much Mamie’s fight was a two steps forward, one step back process. It took me about eight months to research, write, and sell this book. It was a very unusual process as I had submitted my manuscript for an industry critique through the Kweli Color of Children’s Literature Conference, but instead ended up getting an offer from my now-editor Phoebe Yeh at Crown Books for Young Readers!  What are your favorite illustrations in the book? Michelle Jing Chan did an amazing job with the illustrations, so it’s hard to choose, but I think my favorite is of Mamie standing on a hillside overlooking San Francisco Bay and her neighborhood where she fought to attend school. Michelle beautifully captured a combination of determination, uncertainty, and innocence in Mamie’s expression. And the foggy windy sunset is so San Francisco! The scene really sets the tone for the rest of the book and Mamie’s long fight. Another one I love is of Mamie and her family eating the traditional Chinese New Year’s meal of jai. This illustration is extra special because the dishes on the table are inspired by actual dishes hand-painted by Mamie’s mom, which I had a chance to see when I visited Mamie’s great-granddaughter. Michelle did a wonderful job sprinkling little historic details like this throughout the illustrations. What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? I hope this book inspires children to step up in the face of unfairness and be part of the change, whether in big or small ways. I also hope they’ll recognize that even though change often comes slowly, especially in terms of social justice and the fight for equality, every little step helps move us forward.  Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? Lean into the kidlit community! I have met so many amazing creators through conferences, classes, pitch contests, and writing communities, and it has made all the difference in my journey. You won’t find a more supportive group of people who share their wisdom, root for each other, and commiserate together! These connections and friendships have really furthered my growth as a writer and helped sustain me in my writing practice.  Traci Huahn (she/her) writes books for kids and especially loves stories rooted in Asian American culture, history, and identity. Mamie Tape Fights to go to School is her debut picture book. As a former attorney and the daughter of Chinese immigrants, Traci feels a deep connection to Mamie’s story and hopes it will inspire young readers to become changemakers, even if it starts by taking just one small step.
Traci was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and still lives close to where she grew up. Most days you can find her there writing, along with her husband, two kids, and their pup who loves belly rubs and Brussels sprouts. To learn more about Traci visit her at: Website: www.tracihuahn.com Instagram: @tracihuahn Bluesky: @tracihuahn.bsky.social  We are thrilled to interview middle grade debut author, Shifa Saltagi Safadi on our blog today! KAREEM BETWEEN releases September 10th. Please read the interview below and pre-order or request this incredible novel in verse from your local library. KLiC: What was your inspiration for KAREEM BETWEEN? SSS: Kareem Between was inspired by my own experiences of being Syrian American and the feelings of trying to find out where you belong as a kid (and really, as an adult!!). It’s also a football book! So the Bears and NFL references are inspired by my own tween kids’ love of football! KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? SSS: Writing the first draft of Kareem Between took me about one year, but this was just the first part of what was to become a book. Drafting it was a long process, as I was still figuring out the format. It was a prose book at first before I tried verse, and then as I was rewriting it in verse, I kept finding places where the plot needed work. The process of finally having a draft ready to send out on sub was long, as I think I rewrote the book multiple times over the year. It was hard to find my confidence as a debut MG author- I kept wondering if I was doing it right. But honestly, reading about other author processes was SO helpful. I kept telling myself that the struggle is worth it, and I kept reading and rereading craft books like Save the Cat writes a Novel and Story Genius. I was already agented when Kareem was finally finished. When it finally went on sub, and was accepted (yay)- I then had to go through the revision process with my lovely editor. Sub was not too long for Kareem, but I think it is because I was in a mentorship with my current editor, which really helped me develop a good working relationship to sub to her. Revision rounds took about six months I would say. And then pass pages and such. The whole process from draft to publication is about 2 and a half years- and I can’t wait for it to be out! KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? SSS: I want kids to know that they don’t have to fit in certain boxes or cater to peer pressure. Kareem struggles to be both Syrian and American, and for him, it often felt like a betrayal to choose one or the other. And I want kids to know that it’s okay to have a life that may not look like what others live- that the most important thing is to stand up for yourself and your values and be proud of your heritage.  KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors?
SSS: Keep reading and writing. I actually drafted (and tossed) two other mg manuscripts before Kareem was written. I learned a lot along the way, but most of all, I learned that persistence is key. You have to keep writing and learning and revising until the book is finally done! KLiC: What’s next for you? SSS: In 2025, I have five books coming out!!! I have a picture book in the winter titled The Gift of Eid from publisher Holiday House, as well as a four book chapter book series titled Amina Banana coming out from Putnam later on in the year. Super excited!! KLiC: Is there anything you want readers to know about you or your book(s)? I hope my books provide Muslim children with pride in their identity, and kids who are not Muslim with windows to peek into what it is like to be a Muslim kid. SHIFA SALTAGI SAFADI is the author of Kareem Between and several picture books, including The Gift of Eid. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature, teaches ELA at a local middle school, and reviews Muslim books on her blog, Muslim Mommy Blog. Shifa was born in Syria and immigrated to the US with her parents as a young girl. She lives near Chicago with her husband and four children. For more information on Kareem Between, click here. Find her on Instagram @MuslimMommyBlog Cover art by Oriol Vidal and designed by Maria Fazio |
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