Peas and Carrots

PEAS AND CARROTS by Tanita S. Davis, published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, a division of Random House, Inc.

Dess knows that nothing good lasts. Disappointment is never far away, and that's a truth that Dess has learned to live with.

Dess's mother's most recent arrest is just the latest in a long line of disappointments, but this one lands her with her baby brother's foster family. Dess doesn't exactly fit in with the Carters. They're so happy, so comfortable, so normal, and Hope, their teenage daughter, is so hopelessly naïve. Dess and Hope couldn't be more unlike each other, but Austin loves them both like sisters. Over time their differences, insurmountable at first, fall away to reveal two girls who want the same thing: to belong.

Hardcover edition released February 9th, 2016

ISBN-10: 0553512811

ISBN-13: 978-0553512816

What people are saying about PEAS AND CARROTS:

Jenny at Reading the End says, "I couldn’t put this short book down. I sneakily read it on my lap when I was supposed to be selling books for work."

Chicago Tribune says, "as 'Peas and Carrots' deftly articulates, 'family' is about much more than color of skin."

Crazy QuiltEdi says, "[Tanita] brings the diverse realities of life to her writing, working her characters through complex and unique situations that fully engage her readers."

Jama Rattigan at Jama's Alphabet Soup says, "brilliant at exploring family dynamics and personal identity, making the reader question long-held stereotypes and assumptions about race, gender, and body image."

Tanita, interviewed at the Horn Book.

Tanita talks about Peas and Carrots on Scalzi's Big Idea.

Ms. Yingling Reads says, "This is an excellent choice for high school libraries, because of the age of the characters, but is also perfectly appropriate for middle school. I love books that bridge that gap, because I frequently have readers who want fiction with more depth but who aren't quite ready for grittier YA fare. This is perfect."

Charlotte's Library says, "I also appreciated the casual (by which I mean not emphasized with heavy moralizing) inclusion of issues of body acceptance, religion as meaningful part of Hope's family's life (one they weren't going to force Dess to participate in), and even more so, issues of race."

Stacked Books interviewed Tanita about Peas and Carrots.

Barnes and Nobel's YA Open Mic interviewed Tanita about Peas and Carrots.

Bustle.com says Peas and Carrots is One of the 16 Best YA Books of February 2016.

School Library Journal says, "Nuance and honesty make this a solid addition to young adult collections."

Booklist (circ: 24,150) says, "A raw and emotionally moving story of family, both lost and found."

Publishers' Weekly says, "...gracefully and honestly addresses ... discomfort in living with parents of another race ... and the misunderstandings borne out of prejudice."

Kirkus says PEAS AND CARROTS has "an emotionally honest plot and candid conversations about race and class. A worthy read for teens looking to expand their worldviews."