Biography
Guyanese-Canadian NATASHA DEEN is a best-selling author, with novels for kids, teens, and adults, and she’s a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. Her novel, In the Key of Nira Ghani, won the Amy Mather Teen Book Award and her most recent YA title, The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad was a Globe & Mail’s Top 100 Books for 2022. When she’s not writing, she teaches Introduction to Children’s Writing with the University of Toronto’s SCS and spends an inordinate amount of time trying to convince her pets that she’s the boss of the house. Visit Natasha at www.natashadeen.com.
Natasha is an active member of YABS but not touring regularly. She is open to special requests on a case-by-case basis.
Bibliography
Spooky Sleuths, Book 4: Fire in the Sky (Penguin Random House Young Readers, 2023)
Spooky Sleuths, Book 3: Don’t Go Near the Water! (Penguin Random House Young Readers, 2023)
Jake Maddox: Girl Sport Stories: Surfing Shake-Up (Capstone Publishers, 2023)
Lark Has the Shivers (Orca Book Publishers, 2022)
- TD Summer Reading Club Recommended Read
The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad (Running Press Kids, 2022)
- OLA Best Bets Pick
- A CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens, Starred Selection ★
- A Globe and Mail Top 100 Books in 2022
- A CCBC Recommended Read
- The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD Kids) “September’s Book of
the Month - A CBC Books’ 14 YA Books to Watch for in Spring
- Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Spooky Sleuths, Book 2: Beware the Moonlight (Penguin Random House Young
Readers, 2022)
Spooky Sleuths, Book 1: The Ghost Tree (Penguin Random House Young Readers,
2022)
- School Library Journal Best Books of 2022
Lark Steals the Show (Orca Book Publisher, 2022)
Girls Survive: Millie and the Great Drought (Capstone Publishers, 2022)
Depth of Field, Orca Book Publishers 2022
Maria and the Plague of Florence, Capstone Press, 2021
Nothing But Net, Illustrated By Katie Wood, Capstone Press, 2020
Danger on the Reef, illustrated by Giuliano Aloisi, Capstone Press, 2020
“Not that Kind of Girl,” You Too Anthology, Inkyard Press, 2020
In the Key of Nira Ghani, Running Press, 2019
- Manitoba Young Readers Award Nominee
- Ross Annett Award
- Red Maple Award Honour Book
- OLA White Pine Teen Committee Summer Reading List Selection
- Barnes & Noble Top 25 Most Anticipated Own Voice Novels
- Chapters-Indigo Most Anticipated Teen Books
- CCBC Best Pick for Kids & Teens
- CCBC Red Leaf Literature Selection
- Junior Library Guild Selection for Reluctant Readers
- Junior Library Guild Book Club Selection
Softball Switch-Up, Illustrated By Katie Wood, Capstone Press, 2019
Thicker than Water, Orca Book Publishers 2019
- CCBC Best Pick for Kids & Teen, Starred Selection
- Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
- Red Maple Summer Book Club Selection
Lark Takes a Bow, Illustrated By Marcus Cutler, Orca Book Publishers, 2018
Game’s End, Great Plains Publications, 2017
Lark and the Diamond Caper, Illustrated By Marcus Cutler, Orca Book Publishers, 2017
Terminate, Orca Book Publishers, 2017
Across the Floor, Orca Books Publisher, 2016
- CCBC Best Pick for Kids & Teens
Gatekeeper, Great Plains Publishing, 2016
- CCBC Best Pick for Kids & Teens
- Moonbeam Award Winner
- Alberta Readers’ Choice Award Nominee
Lark Holds the Key, Illustrated By Marcus Cutler, Orca Books Publishing, 2016
- CCBC Best Pick for Kids & Teen, Starred Selection
Burned, Orca Books Publishing, 2015
Sleight of Hand, Orca Books Publishing, 2015
- CCBC Best Pick for Kids & Teen, Starred Selection
The Not So Secret Adventures of Billy Vale, P.I., Blueberry Hill Press, 2015
At Dock’s End, Blueberry Hill Press, 2014
Guardian, Great Plains Publications, 2014
- CCBC Best Pick for Kids & Teen
- Moonbeam Award Winner
- Starburst Award Nominee
True Grime 2: Angel-Maker, Blueberry Hill Press, 2012
True Grime, Blueberry Hill Press, 2011
- P&E Top 5 Pick for YA Book
Reviews
I wish we would have had the time for her to visit all our students, because each and every one of them would have benefited from her message. The way she wove her love of reading and writing into how it allowed her to rise above the cruelty she encountered was a life lesson for us all. One student came into the library after school and while Natasha ran out to get her book to autograph, I asked the student, “Did you enjoy Natasha Deen’s presentation?” She responded with a very enthusiastic “yes!”. She said the talk really impacted her and when she looked over at her friend; her friend said “wow, she makes me feel so much better about myself and also about other people!”
Natasha’s presentation is a powerful health lesson on the power of believing in one’s self, valuing your self-worth and your power as a person. “I am me, I am strong, I am powerful,” would be a good mantra to describe Natasha’s presentation. All in all, Natasha’s presentation was awesome, and one I would recommend and see every day.
Thank you so much for coming to our school! Everyone is still talking about what a fabulous job you did! You really left a wonderful impression!
It was wonderful having you in today. Thanks for helping students and for giving them the experience of how fun writing can be. We are truly grateful. You are welcome back anytime!
You were amazing – the kids were engaged and the teachers want to know when you can come back.
Two months after your visit, we’re still talking about it!
You know how to read an audience and capture their attention. You kept our students on their toes!
You had our students engaged—even the ones that never do! You enthralled them!
The kids enjoyed your presentation and I can’t stop gushing about how awesome you are!