After being pressed into service as a nurse, seventeen-year-old Virginia discovers her innate talent, begins a clandestine romance with her father's Italian assistant, and learns what it truly means to be a modern woman during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918.
"Breathe intricately weaves the seriousness of the Spanish Flu/WWI and the hopefulness of women on the cusp of having their right to vote recognized with the exhilaration of falling in love and following your dream into a tapestry of events that influences headstrong seventeen-year-old Ginny's future. And you will root for her all the way!"
~Kathleen Burkinshaw, award-winning author of The Last Cherry Blossom
"Don’t miss Breathe! Fujimura brilliantly weaves together a love story and a coming of age tale, amid the shifting post-war world. 1918 comes alive for readers in this beautifully told account of a doctor’s teenage daughter fighting to save herself, her family, and her friends during the Spanish flu epidemic—an epidemic that took more American lives than both world wars combined. Vividly told, exquisitely researched, and not to be missed."
~Kathleen Baldwin, award-winning author of Refuge for Masterminds, Exile for Dreamers, and A School for Unusual Girls.
YA Diverse Contemporary
Buy your copy here:
Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Tribute to Moms
Edited by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Patty Aubery
HCI
2008
Buy your copy here:
Want a free autographed bookplate for your paperback book? Send me an email. I'll pop one in the mail to you!
Fiction Titles
I write stories for intelligent, adventurous, globally-minded teens who aren't afraid to love someone outside of their own ethnicity.
"There's 'Every Reason' To Read This Charming Love Story On Ice." ~NPR Book Review, March 8, 2020
"Sure to take the gold." ~Kirkus Full review here
"High school drama, parental expectations, romance, and a glimpse into the life of a competitive skater will have readers excitedly turning pages. A fun addition to middle and high school libraries." ~School Library Journal
“Readers will enjoy the well-developed characters, witty dialogue, and cringe-worthy romantic fumbles right through to the awfully neat, but very happy ending.” ~School Library Connection
“Compelling... an obvious choice for fans of classic love stories that play out on the ice, but also for readers looking for a nuanced story of self-discovery.” ~Booklist
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YA Diverse Contemporary
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grandmothers
Edited by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, & Amy Newmark
CSS
2011
Read the essay "Adventures in Etiquette" which I wrote with my mom here.
Books
Nonfiction Titles
Sixteen-year-old figure skater Olivia Kennedy's Olympic dreams have ended. She's bitter, but enjoying life as a regular teenager instead of trying to live up to the expectations of being the daughter of Olympians Midori Nakashima and Michael Kennedy...until Jonah Choi starts training at her family's struggling rink. Jonah's driven, talented, going for the Olympics in speed skating, completely annoying...and totally gorgeous. Between teasing Jonah, helping her best friend try out for the roller derby, figuring out life as a normal teen and keeping the family business running, Olivia's got her hands full. But will rivalry bring her closer to Jonah, or drive them apart?
“This book is like a warm hug filled with all the things I love. I started smiling from page one and couldn’t put it down.” ~Courtney Milan
“Whether your first ice skating romance was The Cutting Edge or Yuri!!! On Ice, you will absolutely love this book. Full of complicated family relationships, sparkling friendships, and a completely delicious romance, Every Reason We Shouldn’t is an uplifting love song to everyone who’s ever lost their way, and then had the courage to find it again.” ~Lindsay Ribar, author of Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies
YA Historical Fiction
To Japan With Love: A Travel Guide for the Connoisseur
Edited by Celeste Heiter
ThingsAsian Press
2009
Sara Fujimura
Phoenix-native Skyler Doucet’s plans with her BFF are ruined when her mom and Japanese stepfather move the entire family to Nagoya, Japan for the summer before her senior year. But when David Takamatsu, a biracial Japanese-American boy, invades Skyler’s space (and her heart), this fish out of water in Japan starts to wonder if it’s the pond back home that might be too small.
"A delightful debut! Tanabata Wish is the perfect summer read for anyone who longs for life-altering adventure and swoon-worthy romance. My bags are packed. Prepare to fall in love: with Sky, with David, and with all of Japan!"
~Tera Lynn Childs, award-winning author of Oh. My. Gods., Forgive My Fins, and Darkly Fae
Copyright © Sara Fujimura. All rights reserved.