About author Kalena Miller

Kalena Miller grew up in College Station, TX with her mom, dad, and the most photographed hamster in history. After high school, she moved a thousand miles north to attend Carleton College, where she graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Religious Studies. After a brief stint working as a paraeducator in Seattle, Kalena decided she missed school too much, so she spent the next two years pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing at Hamline University.

Kalena currently lives in College Station, Texas where she runs Hyperbole Bookstore with her mom. She writes middle grade and young adult fiction and dabbles with the occasional picture book. She loves books that make her laugh and make her cry, preferably at the same time, and she firmly believes all quality novels should feature a cat.

Publications

South of Somewhere, by MFAC graduate Kalena Miller

South of Somewhere

(Middle grade) Albert Whitman & Company, 2024

  • "Complex, fully defined characters...take what could have been a standard riches-to-rags story and turn it into a thoughtful exploration of class, love, and relationships." —Kirkus Reviews Starred Review
  • "A charming entry in the crowded middle grade contemporary field." —School Library Journal
  • "Miller writes a heartfelt and warm book about the importance of family and community, and her flawed adult characters allow for interesting character development from the children." —Booklist
More about South of Somewhere
Shannon in the Spotlight by MFAC graduate Kalena Miller

Shannon in the Spotlight

(Middle grade) Delacorte, 2023

  • Winner of the 2023 Minnesota Book Award for Middle Grade Literature
  • ​A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!
  • ​"Offers readers a positive role model for living with mental illness." —Kirkus Reviews
  • ​"Miller spins a winning story that offers an insightful introduction to OCD. It’s an inspiration and joy to watch [Shannon] step into the spotlight and let her voice truly be heard."—Booklist
  • ​"[A] delicately realized novel."—Publishers Weekly

 

More about Shannon in the Spotlight
"The Night When No One Had Sex," by Hamline MFAC alumni Kalena Miller

The Night When No One Had Sex

(Young Adult) AW Teen, 2021

  • Winner of the 2021 Minnesota Book Award for Young Adult Literature

  • ​"Told via multiple points of view and a hilarious group chat, this atypical prom tale is humorous and dramatic in equal parts. A fun read, perfect for anyone who is (or has ever been) a teen."―Booklist

  • "Mature teen readers will be charmed by this coming-of-age story that explores relationships and personal growth as much as the mechanics of sexuality." ―School Library Journal

  • "This engaging madcap comedy is refreshingly frank in its discussion of sex...a witty, honest debut that shines a light on some very real issues." ―Kirkus Reviews

More about The Night When No One Had Sex

How to stay up to date with Kalena Miller

If you would like to stay up to date with Kalena Miller and her work, you can visit her website, kalenamiller.com.

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