Don’t miss Jennifer Longo, winner of the 2021 Washington State Book Award for Young Adult Literature, in conversation with journalist Claudia Rowe.

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“What I Carry” is a powerful and heartwarming look at a teen girl about to age out of the foster care system. Growing up in foster care, Muir has lived in many houses — and she’s learned to pack light. Carry only what fits in a suitcase, and leave emotional attachments to friends and foster families behind. Muir has just one year left before she ages out of the system. One year before she’s free. One year to avoid anything — or anyone — that could get in her way. Then she meets Francine. And Kira. And Sean. And everything changes.

Longo’s other books for young adults include “Up to This Pointe” and “Six Feet Over It,” both of which were Washington State Book Award finalists.

Longo will be in conversation with author Claudia Rowe, who won the 2018 Washington State Book Award for Biography/Memoir for “The Spider and the Fly.” Rowe has researched and written about the foster care system, and has a forthcoming book on the topic.

About the book
“What I Carry” was named an American Library Association/YALSA Top Ten Novel for 2021 and is the 2022 selection for Teen All Iowa Reads.

“The power of relationship—both those experienced and those denied—is expertly explored throughout this novel with nuance and humanity.” – KIRKUS (Starred) Random House Books 2020

“Charming, honest, and hopeful. This is a story you’ll fall for.” – Deb Caletti, author of “A Heart in a Body in the World”

About the event
This event is presented by the Washington Center for the Book, an affiliate of the National Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. The Washington Center for the Book is a partnership of The Seattle Public Library and the Washington State Library.

View in Catalog: What I Carry by Jennifer Longo
ADA Accommodations We can provide accommodations for people with disabilities at Library events. Please contact leap@spl.org at least seven days before the event to request accommodations. Captions are available for all recorded Library programs.

ADA Accommodations: We can provide accommodations for people with disabilities at Library events. Please contact leap@spl.org at least seven days before the event to request accommodations. Captions are available for all recorded Library programs.