Irene Latham author page

Irene Latham biography

Irene Latham is an American author and poet known for her works for children and young readers. She has written novels, poetry collections, and picture books, often exploring themes of history, empathy, and the natural world. Latham’s debut middle grade novel, Leaving Gee’s Bend, was published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in 2010. The story is set in 1932 Alabama and follows a young girl’s journey to save her mother, inspired by the quilts of Gee’s Bend.

Latham has also authored several poetry collections for young readers, including Dear Wandering Wildebeest: And Other Poems from the Water Hole (Millbrook Press, 2014), which features poems about African animals and their habitats. Her picture books include Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship, co-written with Charles Waters and published by Carolrhoda Books in 2018. This book presents a dialogue in verse between two classmates as they navigate conversations about race and identity.

Latham’s work has received recognition from various organizations. Can I Touch Your Hair? was named a Charlotte Huck Honor Book by the National Council of Teachers of English in 2019. She continues to write and publish books for young readers, with her poetry collection The Cat Man of Aleppo, co-authored with Karim Shamsi-Basha and illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, being named a Caldecott Honor Book in 2021.