2024 PB Rising Stars Mentees

Sarah Malik is Marzieh Abbas’ Mentee
”Sarah's manuscript was engaging, delicious, and full of heart. It's the kind of food story that'll make you drool!” -Marzieh

Naz Alibhai is Sara Holly Ackerman’s Mentee

“I can't stop thinking about Naz's charming and intriguing manuscript that reveals a behind-the-scenes look at a fascinating art form. I would be thrilled to have this as a book in my own library one day. Naz has a clear vision for herself as a writer and the readers she hopes to reach, and I'm excited to play a small role in her writing journey!” -Sara

Riley (Riley's Desk) is Anne Appert’s Mentee
”Riley’s illustrations immediately caught my attention with his dynamic use of color and strong, stylistic approach to shape and composition. His story pitches excited me with their variety of topics and voice and clearly demonstrated the amount of potential he has as an author-illustrator. I cannot wait to watch his potential bloom even greater this summer!” -Anne

Eloise Narrigan is Monica Arnaldo’s Mentee
”Eloise's dummy drew me in right away-- her expressive characters, clever story-telling and meticulously designed compositions shined on every page! I can't wait to work with her and watch her career in kidlit take-off!” -Monica

Fiona Wong is Livia Blackburne’s Mentee

“Fiona's stories are evocative and heartfelt, shining light on aspects of the AAPI experience in a beautiful way. I can't wait to see these stories out in the world.” -Livia

Melquea Smith is Reggie Brown’s Mentee

“I chose Melquea Smith as my mentee because her passion for illustration shines through in everything she creates. Melquea's artwork resonates with me deeply, and she has incredible potential to significantly impact the industry.” -Reggie

Joy Nicolas is Michelle Jing Chan’s Mentee
”Joy's poignant manuscript resonated with me from the start! She tackles challenging topics like chronic illness with such grace, care, and empathy. I love that she strives to create stories that highlight small moments of joy and magic even in the most vulnerable and difficult of times. I am thrilled to be her mentor for PB Rising Stars, and I know her stories will be a source of warmth and comfort to many young readers in the future!” -Michelle

Sara Yamasaki is Tina Cho’s Mentee

“The title of Sara's manuscript drew me to her story, one rich with cultural details and tight writing. Her stories resonated with me and made me feel like I was back in Asia. Sara and I share a passion for reaching underrepresented voices. She has realistic goals, & I can't wait for her books to be in bookstores!”

Lisa A. Healy is Erin Dealey’s Mentee
”The lyrical language of Lisa's manuscript drew me in from the start. The unique topics and layers kept me reading. Her stories have heart and hope. I'm excited and honored to help her take the next steps towards achieving her publishing goals.” -Erin

Tiffany Obeng is Tonya Duncan Ellis’ Mentee
”The much-needed themes in Tiffany’s manuscript resonated with me, and the imagery she used was captivating! She’s been working hard for years, and I’m excited to help her move toward reaching her publishing-related S.M.A.R.T. goals.” -Tonya

Zarlasht Niaz is Reem Faruqi’s Mentee

“Zarlasht Niaz's work is lyrical, lovely, and important. Her voice is not to be missed. I strongly believe her stories will inspire children from all over the world. I cannot wait to see her books on shelves!” -Reem

Debbie Wakefield is Mirka Hokkanen’s Mentee

“I fell in love with Debbie's manuscript, her sweet illustrations and her positive can-do attitude. Her story was clever and sweet and I can't wait to work with her to develop a picture book dummy for it.” -Mirka

Searra Simpson is Lindsay Leslie’s Mentee

“I laughed out loud! OK, it was more of a snorty inhale, but that was my way of showing my appreciation of the overall concept and the humor peppered throughout Searra's manuscript. I can totally pick up what Searra is putting down with her edgy, slightly dark, but totally funny stories. I believe we are a match, and I can't wait to begin working with her!” -Lindsay

Karen Alexander is K.E. Lewis’ Mentee
”It was the Black boy and the alien for me! Additionally, it was Karen’s way of immediately normalizing unusual situations, suspending disbelief in stories we’ve yet seen. She’s also witty in her approach to storytelling and writes the stories I’d like to see. I also think our humor aligns, and I am super excited to move her closer to her publishing dreams.” -K.E.

Blythe Williams is Erica Lyons’ Mentee

“Blythe’s submission was brave and beautiful. From my first reading of it, I knew it was a story that needs to be out in the world. She wrote from the heart from a place of grief and of hope too. I can’t wait to work with her.”

Carrie McCullough is CK Malone’s Mentee
”Carrie McCullough's range from love of a child to barnyard antics to punctuation acting as a character had me hooked. Sign me up for all of this clucking good fun!” -CK

Jitu is Niña Mata’s Mentee

“Jitu's illustrations stood out from the very beginning and I kept coming back to it. She's got a real knack for visual narrating. Her overall application was thoughtful and concise and I'd be so grateful to work with Jitu. I'm already her biggest fan!” -Niña

Megan Paustian is Julia Mills’ Mentee
”Megan's enthusiasm for science drew me in to her manuscript. I see so much potential for her story and it's one I would want to share with my STEAM students. I can't wait to dig in with this talented writer, illustrator and ecologist!” -Julia

Cat Galeano is Kealani Netane’s Mentee

“Cat's manuscript blew me away! I kept coming back to it over and over. It is a story that is needed in the kidlit world.” -Kealani

Kat Aymeloglu is Elle Pierre’s Mentee
”Kat's delightful illustrations immediately captured my attention. Her work is bright, sweet, and unequivocally thoughtful. I love how she's able to simplify important concepts in a way that is accessible to young people.” -Elle

Sandra Ramírez is Mariana Ríos Ramírez’s Mentee
”Sandra's manuscript spoke to me in a very special way. I love the premise of her story, the sweet relationship between the characters, and the message wrapped in the pages. I admire how committed Sandra is to growing as a writer and how much she believes in herself and that it's never too late to follow one's dreams. I found this very inspiring, as well as the type of stories she wants to write, and how she wants to incorporate her heritage and language in them. I'm so happy we matched for this mentorship and I can't wait to work together this summer!” -Mariana

Louis Decrevel is Kathryn Rammell’s Mentee

“Louis’s work is a blast! Kids are going to love his hilarious stories and amazing artwork. I’m excited to work with him to help launch his KidLit career!” -Kathryn

Tasha Woodson is Joëlle Retener’s Mentee

“I’m a sucker for a good intergenerational story and Tasha’s DELIVERED! Her manuscript was filled with heart and oozed with beautiful imagery and rhythm. Tasha’s application stood out to me from the jump. It was honest and authentic and screamed PICK ME. Tasha’s put in the work and it shows. I can’t wait to help her take her writing to the next level.” -Joëlle

Andrea Christoff is Lisa Rogers’ Mentee

“Andrea's passion for her project makes her writing shine! Her pb bio subject has great kid appeal and she strategically uses lots of engaging sensory detail. Her theme is one that's sure to inspire young readers!” -Lisa

Amy Kwan Mei is Paola Santos’ Mentee
”Amy's writing captivated me from the very beginning. Her use of language is poetic, and her descriptions are powerful and evocative, allowing me to vividly imagine the story as it unfolded. I can't stop thinking about this story!” -Paola

Annada Hypes is Jordan Scott’s Mentee

“Annada's poetic imagery and rhythm drew me into the manuscript right away. Annada's ability to harness a poetic imagination and also center playfulness and curiosity is wonderful. I also appreciate the focus on world building and the joy Annada takes in writing about nature and friendship.” -Jordan

Shuba Mohan is Sadé Smith’s Mentee

“Shuba's sweet and cultural stories drew me in from the vey first first paragraph. I'm so excited to mentor her to assist in crafting these beautiful stories to be as great as it can be.” -Sadé

Ashley Gayle is Alana Tyson’s Mentee

“Ashley's manuscript title pulled me in immediately! Her MS reminded me of friends I had growing up in NYC, who were first generation Americans, living multi-generational lives in homes that were full of love, rich far-away culture, and native tongues. Her passion seeped through the pages, and her ability to paint a picture with words was remarkable. I went to sleep thinking about her story and all the diverse children that would see themselves in it. She was a clear choice, I can't wait to help her get this story into the world.” - Alana

Shristi Vaidya is Srividhya Venkat’s Mentee
”Shristi’s stories and characters stole my heart. They are brimming with warmth, creativity, and tradition, and inspire curiosity and problem-solving. Her passion for writing stood out in her application. And I’m really excited to work with her to help her get a step closer to publication!” -Srividhya

Sanaa Ahmad is Seina Wedlick’s Mentee
”Sanaa's lyrical prose pulled me right in. The heart of her story is strong, and her manuscript is full of rich culture and heritage. I love how this story encourages children to embrace their own unique communities and culture and hope to see this book on shelves soon!” -Seina

GP Bell is Anne Wynter’s Mentee
”GP's manuscript was so vivid and polished, it felt like it should already be a book that's out in the world. In addition to her talent, I love that GP has been working hard for a long time and that she continues to make progress toward her goals, despite setbacks. I think her breakthrough is around the corner, and I'm so excited to work with her.” -Anne

Congratulations to our class of 2024 Mentees!! You’ll get an email soon with exciting information about next steps.