I am so excited to make our first deal announcement of 2017, and so excited about this book in particular. LOS DIAS DE LOS MUERTOS, by Kersten Hamilton, is steeped in sense of place—the high desert of New Mexico, a place I love—and is one of those middle-grade novels that makes the reader feel deeply. It involves a small town, La Migra (the immigration police), prejudice, and a promise made to a dead mother. I love the characters and their rich, complicated lives so much, especially Glorieta (Glory), the protagonist, who is a likeable, good-hearted kid beginning to come of age.

Kersten is a force of nature, and this is a tour de force! I'm very happy to have her working on this particular book with Rachel Stark of Sky Pony Press, who is herself a force to be reckoned with. It's the agency's first deal with this relatively new publishing house.

Congratulations, Kersten!

—Erin