about the book
The anniversary of her father’s death is always hard for Claire Takata. Reading through his journal—which her mom doesn’t know she has—always helps. But this time she discovers a letter hidden in the back. It’s written to her stepfather from her father…they knew each other?
Unfortunately, the letter is in Japanese, so Claire and her brothers can’t read it. That doesn’t stop them from confronting their mother. And what she says—or doesn’t say—only reveals more lies.
She thought her parents were always honest with her.
Determined to find out what they’re hiding, Claire snoops around for any information on her father. Her search reveals he was a member of the yakuza, a Japanese organized crime syndicate.
Now Claire is being followed by a black SUV. If only she could have let the matter go! Maybe then she, her family, and her friends wouldn’t be in danger.
about the author
Valynne Maetani (pronounced Vuh-lin Mah-eh-tah-nee) grew up in Utah. On her first day of kindergarten, she came home so excited that there was another Japanese girl in her class. When asked what the girl’s name, Valynne relplied, “Michelle Gonzales!”
She went to college in Pennsylvania to obtain her bachelor’s degree in German studies, returning home afterward to work at a non-profit that developed educational software. Valynne was a project manager for their program that focused on children with learning disabilities.
Currently, Valynne is a full-time writer who writes wherever and whenever she can around her kids’ crazy schedules. She is also a member of the We Need Diverse Books team.
A tradition the she has with her husband and three little girls is that over Christmas break, they’ll watch a TV series on Netflix. All of them sleep in the family room and stay up until the wee hours of the night.
She and her family live in Salt Lake City.
Sources:
Author website
Author interview: Voya Magazine
Author interview: The Sweet Sixteener
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