Miya T. Beck
A Junior Library Guild
Gold Standard Selection
… a middle grade fantasy destined to appeal to fans of poetry, Japanese folklore, and Alice in Wonderland, using Yuki's journey through the mirror to explore how relationships of all kinds endure conflict and how to appreciate what we already have.
– Booklist
… a steadfast, imagery-driven fantasy teeming with Japanese lore. Poetic and punny text and themes of evolving friendships and parental loss ground this fantastical read.
– Publishers Weekly
Available now!
The Pearl Hunter
Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780063238190
Kai and Kishi share the same futon, the same face, and the same talent for pearl diving.
But Kishi is the obedient daughter, while Kai tries to push boundaries, and sometimes they fight as fiercely as only the closest of twin sisters can. Still, when Kishi is stolen by the legendary ghost whale, nothing will stop Kai from searching, deep in the ocean to bring her home.
But such a rescue is beyond the power of an ordinary mortal. Kai strikes a deal with the gods: she’ll steal a magic pearl from faraway Sky Mountain in exchange for her sister’s soul. As she journeys across the treacherous landscape, Kai must navigate encounters with scheming bandits, a power-hungry warlord, and a legion of conniving fox spirits, all the while keeping to her mission to save Kishi. And when a new friendship becomes something almost as powerful as her love for her twin, Kai must make impossible choices and risk everything just to get home again.
Woven through with traditional Japanese stories, legends, and strategy games, this is a thrilling, layered adventure.
Indies Introduce Kids' Debut Pick Winter/Spring 2023
A Junior Library Guild
Gold Standard Selection
Readers will want to dive into this story full of magic and adventure.
– Kirkus Reviews
With a painstakingly built world and a strong emotional thrust, Beck's vivid, fierce-hearted debut fleshes out a flawed, memorable protagonist alongside fearsome mythical creatures.
– Publishers Weekly
A terrifically transporting tale of familial love and the power in finally stepping into your identity.
– Booklist
Upcoming Appearances
Feb. 12, 2023: Books of Wonder, New York City @ 5 p.m.
March 4, 2023: Barnes & Noble Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn @ 2 p.m.
April 8, 2023: Timbre Books, Ventura, Calif. @ 4 p.m.
April 27, 2023: Kensington Branch, Brooklyn Public Library @ 4 p.m.
Oct. 7, 2023: Princeton Children's Book Festival, Princeton Public Library @ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
About Miya T. Beck
Miya is a native Californian who always had a deep interest in the Japanese side of her heritage. Though she tried and failed to become fluent in Japanese, her studies did introduce her to the myths and fairy tales that inspired this novel. A former daily newspaper reporter and magazine writer, she lives in Brooklyn with her family.