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Graci Kim



BIO


Graci Kim is the New York Times bestselling author of The Gifted Clans trilogy.

Inspired by Korean mythology, The Last Fallen Star was named a 2021 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Children¡¯s Book, Amazon Best Book, Indigo Best Book, Barnes & Noble Young Reader Pick, Morning Calm Medal, and Whitcoulls¡¯ Kids Top 50. In 2022, Graci was awarded the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best New Talent.

She lives in New Zealand with her husband and daughter.

IRIS COLLABORATION


IRIS (Inspiring Readership at International Schools) is a network developed by Tongbang Books to collaborate with the international school community in Korea on a wide range of literacy activities.



As an IRIS initiative, Tongbang Books was honored to partner with Seoul Foreign School, Dulwich College, and Dwight School, as well as the New Zealand Embassy, to support Ms Kim's visit to Korea in March 2020.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW : PART 1


Tell us about your name.
My Korean name is Seongeun (¼ºÀº), and the "eun" part means "grace," which became my English name. My dad used to write me letters calling me "Graci" as a nickname, and that eventually stuck!

As a Korean-New Zealander, how has your cross-cultural identity influenced your work?
The benefits and challenges of being cross-cultural have made me a more emphathetic writer. I hope that my pride for our complex identities jumps off the page!

Other than writing, what other interesting jobs have you had?
I used to be a New Zealand diplomat and a cooking show host, and I even ran two businesses: one that made interactive children's books for the iPad, and another that turned children's drawings into cuddly toys.

What is your favorite English word?
Impossible," because if you make space for yourself in that word, it turns into "I'm Possible."

If you could have dinner with any author (living or dead), who would it be?
Any author that participated in writing what is deemed a religious text today, my first question would be: "So tell me how it REALLY happened!"

What was your favorite book as a child?
The Day After Forever by Erin Skiffington. It was the first book that made me cry.

What is your favorite work of K-LIT?
I recently enjoyed I Love My Stupid Life by Albert Cho - an honest and biting memoir by a fellow Korean-New Zealander.

Beyond literature, what is your favorite part of Korean culture?
FOOOOOOOOOOOD!!

On your recent visit to Korea, what was your favorite part of the trip?
To find that I have readers in Korea was such an honor and talking to them face to face was a gift that I'll hold dear forever!

Tell us about your latest literary project.
The first book in my new series, Dreamslinger, comes out in 2025. Think X-Men meets Pokemon, where a genetically mutated population can travel to the Asleep, which is full of dangerous and sometimes deadly magic.


FEATURED BOOK


Rick Riordan presents Graci Kim's thrilling debut about an adopted Korean-American girl who discovers her heritage and her magic on a perilous journey to save her family!

"Graci Kim does such an amazing job of blending Korean mythology into the modern world, I am now wondering how I ever lived without knowing all this cool information." - Rick Riordan

Twelve-year-old Riley Oh longs to have healing powers like the rest of her family of healing witches. Her sister Hattie attempts a spell to allow Riley to share Hattie's magic, but in doing so violates the laws of the Godrealm, leading to Hattie's banishment. To save her, Riley must find the last fallen star.





EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW : PART 2


What part of the Gifted Clans trilogy is most personal to you?
The character Riley, who is anxious and uncertain, but with a great sense of responsibility and loyalty to her loved ones, is very much an extension of me.

Which character was the most fun to write?
Emmett was so much fun to write because of his snarky attitude, but Hattie was also great fun because of her gung-ho personality.

What is a universal theme in the trilogy that everyone can relate to?
Belonging and choice are recurring themes.

What do you hope Korean readers in particular will appreciate about these books?
The way I keep our old Korean tales alive in fresh and modern new ways.

What was it like working with Rick Riordan?
Unbelievable really! He's called the Storyteller of the Gods for good reason. But despite his stellar success, he's a genuinely lovely and warm person, extremely generous.



AUTHOR¡¯S FAVORITE CHILDHOOD BOOK

AUTHOR¡¯S K-LIT RECOMMENDATION



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