Ashley Hope Perez
Out of Darkness, written by Ashley Hope Pérez, received the 2016 Michael L. Printz Honor, which awards books that exemplify literary excellence in young adult literature.
Using the facts of the New London, Texas, school explosion, as the backdrop for her novel, Pérez explores the topics of segregation, family, love, and the forces that destroy people’s lives. The New London school explosion is still considered the world school disaster in American history.
Pérez is the author of The Knife and the Butterfly and What Can’t Wait. Visit her online at ashleyperez.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at @ashleyhopeperez.
(photo from www.brazosbookstore.com)