Ashley Hope Pérez is a highly acclaimed author of young adult novels. She has written three award-winning books, including "What Can't Wait," "The Knife and the Butterfly," and "Out of Darkness." Pérez's writing has been praised for its excellence, and she has received numerous accolades for her work, including a 2016 Printz honor for "Out of Darkness," which was also named one of BOOKLIST's "50 Best YA Books of All Time."
"Out of Darkness" is a particularly notable work, as it tells a "layered tale of color lines, love and struggle" and deals with a tragic and racial event. The novel has been both praised and criticized for its honest portrayal of racial issues, and it has unfortunately been banned and removed in many school districts due to coordinated attacks against youth access to diverse books.
When Pérez is not writing or teaching as an assistant professor of world literatures at The Ohio State University, she enjoys spending time with her two sons, Liam Miguel and Ethan Andrés. She also has a variety of hobbies, including running, baking, watching movies, and collaging. Pérez has a strong online presence, and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under the handle @ashleyhopeperez.