Press Kit
Bio (shorter)
Anika Fajardo is an award-winning author of the middle-grade novels What If a Fish and Meet Me Halfway, as well as Magical Realism for Non-Believers: A Memoir of Finding Family. Born in Colombia, she lives with her family in Minneapolis.
Bio (longer)
Anika Fajardo was born in Colombia and raised in Minnesota. She is the author of a book about that experience, Magical Realism for Non-Believers: A Memoir of Finding Family (University of Minnesota Press), which was awarded Best Book of 2020 from City Pages and was a finalist for the 2020 Minnesota Book Award. Her debut middle-grade novel What If a Fish (Simon & Schuster) won the 2021 Minnesota Book Award. Her latest book for young readers, Meet Me Halfway (Simon & Schuster), was a finalist awards for in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Carolina, and is forthcoming in German.
Her writing for adults and children has appeared in numerous publications including Brief Encounters: A Collection of Contemporary Nonfiction (Norton), We Are Meant to Rise: Voices for Justice from Minneapolis to the World (U of Minnesota Press), and Boundless: Twenty Voices Celebrating Multicultural and Multiracial Identities (Inkyard), as well as Travel + Leisure magazine. Fajardo also wrote Encanto: A Tale of Three Sisters (Disney), the middle-grade tie-in novel for the film. She has earned numerous awards from the Minnesota State Arts Board and from the Jerome Foundation.
A former librarian and elementary teacher, she now teaches at Augsburg University’s MFA program. She lives with her family in Minneapolis.
Represented by Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.
Reviews and praise for…
Meet Me Halfway (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2022)
“In this heartwarming tale, a pair of freshly acquainted half sisters embark on a small adventure to meet their estranged Colombian father.” - Kirkus Reviews
“Fajardo’s narrative captures middle-school nostalgia, relatably reflecting the swirl of emotions students typically feel when trying to form friendships, be popular, or find a group to be accepted into. With its grit, humor, voice, and heart, this novel will reach readers who struggle to find peace in their families—biological or chosen.” - Booklist
“A tender tale of long-lost sisters in search of their elusive father, Mattie and Mercedes discover their reunion is less about fate and more about realizing they alone choose who will be their family.” - Donna Barba Higuera, Newbery-winning author of The Last Cuentista
*Finalist in children’s literature, Minnesota Book Awards, 2023; Outstanding Achievement in Children's Literature, 2023, Wisconsin Library Association; Finalist for Junior Award, South Carolina Book Awards, 2024-2025
What If a Fish (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2020)
“Multilayered and convincing, the book will have readers rooting for its sweet and smart protagonist.” -Kirkus Reviews
“A captivating narrative voice, deftly managed plot, and complex characters propel a story exploring identity, grief, loss, friendship, and, above all, love and family.” -CCBC Book of the Week
“A whimsical and inviting #OwnVoices story of family, friendship, and identity.” -School Library Journal
*Winner in children’s literature, Minnesota Book Awards, 2021
Magical Realism for Non-Believers (U of Minnesota Press, 2019)
“Anika Fajardo’s beautifully written memoir is a questing journey begun by a young, single college student and completed by a woman with a teenage daughter and extended family on two continents. This is a full, satisfying read.” -Star Tribune
“Filled with honest and authentic truths about the complex relationship between children and their neglectful parents and the struggle to find one’s place between two cultures.” -Library Journal
“A forthright and sensitive tale of a daughter’s quest.” -Kirkus Reviews
*Finalist in memoir and creative nonfiction, Minnesota Book Awards, 2020; winner of City Pages (Minnesota) Best of 2020
Download images
High-resolution cover image:
Magical Realism for Non-Believers
(University of Minnesota Press, 2019)
Cover design by Kimberly Glyder
High-resolution cover image:
What If a Fish
(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2020)
Cover illustration by Paola Escobar
High-resolution cover image:
Meet Me Halfway
(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2022)
Cover illustration by EJ Chong