KIMCHI & CALAMARI
By Rose Kent
HarperCollins, 2007
Category: Middle Grade Fiction
I haven’t read this book … but only because it hasn’t been published yet. When it is available, however, I plan to be first in line. Because I had the great pleasure of meeting Rose Kent at Rising River Retreat this past weekend and, I am telling you, this woman can write.
Rose read a chapter from her newest novel at the retreat. Within a line or two I knew I was in the hands of a grand storyteller. Rose’s characters are vital, their dialogue natural, their problems compelling. Her prose grounded me in a time and a place and, frankly, I didn’t want to leave it. Alas, she only read us the one chapter.
So, while I wait for the new novel to be born (Hurry, Rose, hurry!), I will satisfy my urge to experience more of her work by reading KIMCHI & CALAMARI. It is the story of Joseph Calderaro, a Korean boy adopted into an Italian American family and feeling, well, like an exotic combo platter. You can read a nice review of the book here and you can pre-order a copy, if you are so inclined, here.