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.
Featured Work
LOLA
A simmering tale of magic, adventure, and the extraordinary bond between a brother and sister who’d journey to the ends of the Earth to save each other. From the acclaimed author of Lotería comes a heartfelt story rooted in Mexican magical realism.
Ten-year-old Lola’s life has always been touched by magic. Her Mexico City home is built around a towering tree with seasonal blooms that seem almost enchanted, a backyard sandbox reveals the most unusual treasures, and mischievous chaneques scuttle about her house unseen by all but her. Lola has always thought of this kind of magic as an ordinary part of her life, but now she must embrace its extraordinary quality as never before.
Ever since The Thing That Happened, Lola’s brother, Alex, has been sick. Lately, however, his condition seems to be getting worse. At the same time, something has begun eating away at the tree, causing its bright leaves and colorful blossoms to crumble like ash. Lola is sure the two events are related, but how? Seeking a cure, she visits a grocery store oracle who tells her to follow the chaneques down one of their secret passages . . . into a hidden kingdom.
Floresta is a land of myths and monsters and marvels untold. And there lies the key to healing Alex. But to save him, Lola must use every bit of her wits and face her deepest fears as she uncovers the devastating truth that lies at the heart of this story.
Other Works
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The Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios Book 1) (Chapter Book; S&S)
2024
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The Beginning of all Things (Legendarios Book 2) (Chapter Book; S&S)
2024
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The Child King of Uxmal (Legendarios Book 3) (Chapter Book; S&S)
2024
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MARIA MARIPOSA (PB; Chronicle)
2024
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Hispanic Stars - Selena Gomez (Chapter Book Biography; Macmillan)
2023
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ESPERANZA CARAMELO (PB; Knopf/PRH)
2023
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LOTERIA (Middle Grade; Knopf/PRH)
2021
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ALAN TURING AND THE POWER OF CURIOSITY (PB; Sourcebooks)
2021
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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