About

Karla Arenas Valenti grew up in Mexico City in a house built around a tree. From early on, her life has been filled with elements of the fantastical which she readily incorporates into her storytelling, taking readers on journeys steeped in magical realism.

Karla writes middle grade novels (including the best-selling and highly-acclaimed Lotería), chapter books (like the exciting Legendarios series and Hispanic Stars biographies), and various picture books. Karla’s stories are heavily influenced by her Mexican heritage and layered with ideas and concepts she’s picked up in her many travels around the world.

Karla currently resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband and three kids, two cats, and hundreds of books.

Other Works

  • The Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios Book 1) (Chapter Book; S&S)

    2024
  • The Beginning of all Things (Legendarios Book 2) (Chapter Book; S&S)

    2024
  • The Child King of Uxmal (Legendarios Book 3) (Chapter Book; S&S)

    2024
  • MARIA MARIPOSA (PB; Chronicle)

    2024
  • Hispanic Stars - Selena Gomez (Chapter Book Biography; Macmillan)

    2023
  • ESPERANZA CARAMELO (PB; Knopf/PRH)

    2023
  • LOTERIA (Middle Grade; Knopf/PRH)

    2021
  • ALAN TURING AND THE POWER OF CURIOSITY (PB; Sourcebooks)

    2021
  • MARIE CURIE AND THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE (PB; Sourcebooks)

    2020

Awards and Recognition

  • Amazon bestseller Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Nominee International Latino Book Award Honoree Banks Street Best Children’s Book Outstanding Merit 2022 Américas Award commended title PEOPLE pick for best children’s book of 2022 Best books for kids by Entertainment Weekly Tome Society It List Pick for 2022