REVIEWS


  • Hattie Mae Begins Again, “Flake blends energetic writing with well-crafted historical details for a rich portrait of the Great Migration, seen through the eyes of a spirited tween.”
    -Kirkus Reviews 
  • “Money Hungry was one of the  first full books  I finished after moving here from Korea at 10 years old, not knowing any English. I’m 35 now  and it’s still imprinted on my mind.  My mom and I moved here without anything, not knowing anyone–we didn’t even have much money (or room!) for books, but I distinctly remember picking out and buying your book–and when young me was struggling alone to understand this whole new world, your book showed me its soul.  Thank you so much for your work over the years.  You made us readers, Ms. Flake. ”
    – Caroline Seo
  • “Ms. Flake you are the first book I ever remember wanting to read.  It wasn’t an assignment.  My mom bought me The Skin I’m In at 12.  I’m 35 now.  You changed how I see myself.  You changed how I interacted with others…your words are in my DNA.”
    – @indeegoat
  • “If you can open your heart and mind, and close your eyes, this book is a live document. The characters are alive, and each emotion; the fear, sadness, pride are each alive as an individual character. I couldn’t put it down, and I look forward to reading everything Ms. Flake has created!”
    – DC
  • The Family I’m In
    “Verdict.   A Deeply moving portrayal of contemporary teens living complex lives with dignity and courage.  This should find a home in any library serving middle and high school students”
    – Bob Hassett, School Library Journal
  • Black Girl Power
    “This empowering collection contains messages of hope, resilience, power, and friendship.”
    Publisher’s Weekly
  • Once in a Blue Moon
    “An evocative, immediate novel with compelling characters and a wonderfully well-paced plot.”
    – Pauletta Brown Bracy 
  • The Life I’m In
    “A much -desired sister novel…[A] difficult yet necessary sequel.”
    – Booklist 
  • Hattie Mae Begins Again
    “The year is 1938, and Hattie Mae Jenkins, a 12-year-old Black girl, is on her way from Seed County, NC, to the bustling streets of Philadelphia, where she will enroll as a student at Miss Abigail’s School for Exceptional Young Ladies. Upon arriving at Miss Abigail’s, Hattie Mae struggles to fit in with the other girls, who hail from elite Black families and high society; Hattie comes from a community of laborers and farm workers and is proud of her roots but can’t match her classmates’ privileged lives. Trouble comes particularly from Lisa, a perennial bully who chooses Hattie as a target. As the novel develops, Hattie makes true friends within the school and the surrounding community and slowly learns to understand her purpose and identity. With the help of her new friends, she seizes the opportunity to remake herself as a leader and community advocate. Written in verse and featuring snappy chapters that read smoothly, this novel delves deep into historical details and Hattie’s journey of transformation without feeling weighed down. The book is a follow-up to Flake’s 2023 novel Once in a Blue Moon, which centers Hattie’s brother Henry James, but it also stands well on its own. Back matter includes a list of historical sources and an extensive author’s note delving into the history of Philadelphia and Flake’s roots in the city. VERDICT Recommended wherever historical fiction and novels in verse are popular.” 
    –Darla Salva Cruz 

STAY INSPIRED
SIGN UP NOW!

Want sneak peeks, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes insights into my latest books? Sign up for my newsletter and be the first to know what’s coming next!