Cover art by Soni López-Chávez
Jean Flynn Award for YA Fiction
Walden Award Finalist
Named One of the Best Books of 2023
Danna Mendoza Villarreal’s grandfather is slowly losing himself as his memories fade, and Danna’s not sure her plan to help him remember through the foods he once reviewed will be enough to bring him back. Especially when her own love of food makes her complicated relationship with her mother even more difficult.
Raul Santos has been lost ever since his mother was wrongly incarcerated two years ago. Playing guitar for the elderly has been his only escape, to help them remember and him forget. But when his mom unexpectedly comes back into his life, what is he supposed to do when she isn’t the same person who left?
When Danna and Raul meet, sparks fly immediately and they embark on a mission to heal her grandfather…and themselves. Because healing is something best done together—even if healing doesn’t always look the way we want it to.
Praise for An Appetite for Miracles
“Although the theme of loss is ever present, the story is buoyed by the parallel explorations of falling in love, gaining perspective, and learning to forgive. Disordered eating is also sensitively handled. Cultural elements are woven seamlessly into the story, which features familial relationships that ring true. This is an earnest, stirring novel about staying open to hope and love despite the tremendous potential for, and certainty of loss. Emotionally resonant and deeply moving.”
“While [Danna and Raul] are both facing the loss of an important family member, they search for hope and forgiveness as ways to reclaim their stories both past and present. Themes include dementia, incarcerated parent, body shaming, physical violence, references to sexual assault, and death of grandparent... A captivating and emotional coming-of-age tale that harmonizes magnificently in verse.”
“Kemp’s gorgeous verse is remarkable in its ability to capture both the unabashed euphoria of young love as well as the soul-crushing dealings with parents who are all too willing to project their trauma onto their kids.”
“Kemp employs striking food metaphors and similes to create a warm image of young love...as well as a poignant perspective on the experience of caring for a loved one with dementia. Fans of Acevedo’s The Poet X will appreciate this novel’s similar style and themes, which also touch on religion, body image, and Latine identity.”
“By employing layered characterizations and dual perspectives rendered in lyrical prose, Kemp skillfully examines themes of anti-fat bias, generational trauma, and the prison-industrial complex, while simultaneously cultivating a tender love story.”
“Although we are keenly aware of Danna and Raúl’s emerging love, it is through the messy, poignant moments that take place between the two different families that we discover the tenacity and resilience of that love. As always, Kemp writes authentic, visceral characters. Though the novel is tinged with hints of loss, there is at its very core an undeniable joy.”
“An Appetite for Miracles explores weighty subjects without dwelling in darkness; instead, it turns toward the light of hope at every opportunity. Kemp perfectly captures the feelings of excitement and relief that come from realizing you’ve finally found someone who truly understands you.”