Mitali Perkins
Crossing Cultural Borders
About Mitali
Mitali was born in India and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 7 years old. When she first moved to the US, her family lived in a crowded New York apartment and she would escape to the fire escape to read and write, which is where she started her writing career. While she moved all over the world before settling in California when she was 11, books were her go-to and the only safe place as she got used to living in a new culture.
She went on to become a teacher and once she started writing professionally, most of her characters went through the similar experience of navigating cultures or promoting justice, another theme that is important to Mitali. She has written 9 books and loves to travel and meet readers while discussing with them her unique life and perspective.
Life Between Cultures
Mitali's life between cultures has deeply affected her, as that is a major theme in most of her writing, and she loves to connect with people who have had similar experiences. She discusses reading from the perspective of Windows and Mirrors: You are looking out at something new and different (like a different culture), or at a mirror where you see parts of yourself reflected in the characters of the story. Her story collection "Open Mic" directly discussed the idea of cultural identity from a humorous perspective, written by those who have lived that experience like she has.
She went on to become a teacher and once she started writing professionally, most of her characters went through the similar experience of navigating cultures or promoting justice, another theme that is important to Mitali. She has written 9 books and loves to travel and meet readers while discussing with them her unique life and perspective.
Life Between Cultures
Mitali's life between cultures has deeply affected her, as that is a major theme in most of her writing, and she loves to connect with people who have had similar experiences. She discusses reading from the perspective of Windows and Mirrors: You are looking out at something new and different (like a different culture), or at a mirror where you see parts of yourself reflected in the characters of the story. Her story collection "Open Mic" directly discussed the idea of cultural identity from a humorous perspective, written by those who have lived that experience like she has.
MITALI'S BOOKS
Life of Sunita Sen
Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices
Monsoon Summer
Secret Keeper
First Daughter: White House Rules
First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover
Asian American Author Series: Mitali Perkins
Asian American Author Series: Mitali Perkins