Mark Oshiro (they/them) is a critically acclaimed author known for his young adult and middle-grade novels that explore themes of identity, belonging, and resilience. Their work, which includes Anger Is a Gift (2018), Each of Us a Desert (2020), and Into the Light (2023), has earned them recognition, including the 2019 Schneider Family Book Award.
Oshiro's middle-grade novel, The Insiders (2021), became a standout title, praised for its heartfelt portrayal of friendship and self-discovery. Oshiro is also the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, The Sun and The Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure, with Rick Riordan.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Mark Oshiro discovered a love for storytelling early on, creating stories since first grade. Their passion for writing was solidified during high school after reading Sandra Cisneros' The House on Mango Street, a moment that revealed to Oshiro the power of Latinx voices in literature. Oshiro created the "Mark Does Stuff" universe, which includes "Mark Reads" and "Mark Watches," earning a Hugo nomination in the Fan Writer category.
The Insiders marks Oshiro's foray into middle-grade literature, presenting a lighter, more humorous style while retaining the emotional depth characteristic of their young adult novels.
The story follows Héctor Muñoz, a young gay Latinx boy navigating the challenges of moving to a new school in Orangevale, California. Héctor's sense of isolation leads him to discover a magical janitor's closet that connects him with two other kids facing similar struggles across the country.
Oshiro describes The Insiders as "a hopeful and heartfelt coming-of-age story for anyone who's ever felt like they didn't fit in." They intended for it to balance levity and seriousness, tackling issues of identity and discrimination with humour and sincerity.
Inspired by personal experiences, Oshiro revisited elements of their early writing for The Insiders. "I wanted to write a story featuring a gay Latinx character that dealt with the idea of a magical 'closet,'" Oshiro explains. The book, set primarily in California, also explores locations like South Carolina and Arizona.
Oshiro's storytelling often blends speculative fiction with real-world issues, aiming to provide young readers with narratives that both entertain and empower. In interviews, they emphasize the importance of representation and visibility in literature, hoping to offer readers a sense of connection and understanding. Oshiro's advice to those navigating their identities in challenging environments is to seek out supportive figures and remember, "There is someone in your life who loves you for who you are."
Mark Oshiro is based in Atlanta, GA.
Photo by Darius Voncel
