A Junior Library Guild Selection
Bustle's New YA Novels from First Time Authors You Need to Read in the Second Half of 2017
B&N Teen Blog's Most Anticipated Debut Novels of the Second Half of 2017
Paste Magazine's 10 of the Best New Young Adult Books In September 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. . . . Through art, Kiko gains a voice and finally understands that she is worthy, desirable, and talented." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Bowman evokes Kiko's quiet hurt, pain, and frustration with breathtaking clarity, all the while reinforcing the narrative with love and hope. The story will resonate deeply with readers who have experienced abuse of any kind, or who have been held back by social anxiety. Starfish is a stunningly beautiful, highly nuanced debut." --Booklist, starred review

"A deep and engaging story that will not only entertain but also may encourage readers to live their best lives." --School Library Journal

"Vividly captures the identity struggles of a biracial young adult searching to find her place in two worlds." --BCCB

"Moving." --Kirkus Reviews

"Dazzling." --Bustle

"One of the most compelling reads of the year." --Paste Magazine

"This book is a gem." --BookRiot

"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

"Akemi Dawn Bowman's quietly dazzling debut novel gave me the sensation of looking into a mirror. This story is a knockout, at once an incisive portrait of family dysfunction, a nuanced depiction of Asian-American adolescence, and an artist's vibrant coming-of-age--a story so specific as to be universal. Brimming with confessional intimacy and the furious strength of empowerment, Starfish feels like the ache of being lost and the relief of finding home." --Riley Redgate, author of Seven Ways We Lie and Noteworthy