International
Japanese Honors for Sidetracked and Upstaged
In 2019, the Japanese edition of Sidetracked was selected by the Japanese School Library Association as one of three recommended middle school level books for the 2019 Youth Book Report National Competition.
Every year, students throughout Japan are encouraged to read one of the recommended books and submit a book report to the contest. The authors of top essays from each district are celebrated at a beautiful ceremony in Tokyo. It was my great honor to be a guest at the ceremony on February 7, 2020, and meet two of the students who won awards for their essays about Sidetracked.
That trip seemed like a once in a lifetime experience, so it came as thrilling news when Upstaged was announced as a middle school selection for the 2023 competition.
Once again, my husband and I were guests at the ceremony in Tokyo. Reuniting with my Japanese friends was a joy, and chatting with the incredible students who won honors for their Upstaged essays was…well, the photos below tell the story.
Both Sidetracked and Upstaged were published in Japan by Hyoronsha, translated by Hiroko Taketomi and edited by Chihomi Okamoto. I’m so grateful to them, to Maiko Fujinaga of Japan UNI Agency, and to the Japanese School Library Association, for bringing my stories to young Japanese readers!
UPSTAGED
Name tag and Program for the 69th Youth Reading Report National Competition Award Ceremony, February 2, 2024
Warm greetings at the ceremony.
Chatting with award winner, Aiko.
Meeting award winner, Haruki, with Maiko of Japan UNI Agency
Aiko, Haruki, Hiroko and me.
Tea and cake with Hiroko, Chihomi and Maiko
Cover of the Japanese edition of UPSTAGED
The official website for the 2023 National Book Report Competition
A description of UPSTAGED, courtesy of Google translate: "A fun story about students creating a school musical from scratch. There is love, there is trouble, there is failure, and there are scenes that burst out involuntarily!"
SIDETRACKED
The Japanese edition of Sidetracked
Out for sushi with Sidetracked’s Japanese publisher, translator, editor and literary agent, (and husband, Henry), in Tokyo, Japan!
My nametag and program. Honored to attend the 65th National Youth Book Report Contest in Tokyo, where Sidetracked was one of three books recommended for Junior High Students by the Japanese School Library Association.
At the reception with translator, Hiroko Taketomi and two students, Naoki and Sora, who won awards for their essays on Sidetracked.
Haruto, another proud award winner and Sidetracked fan.
In the paper! Co-sponsor of the award, the Mainichi Newspapers Co. interviewed award-winner Naoki and me.
A short translation of the newspaper article.
International Editions
Japanese Edition of Upstaged
Korean Edition of Sidetracked
Japanese Edition of Sidetracked
