Kara Grajkowski is a literary agent with 3 Seas Literary.

She is seeking: contemporary Middle Grade Fiction, contemporary YA Fiction, and #OwnVoices. (She is not the best fit for fantasy.)

“As a 3rd grade teacher, I am always looking to expand my classroom library with high-interest, low-readability books. I have a soft spot for contemporary fiction stories that my students can align with, especially if the main character doesn’t have it all figured out yet. I am searching for the best middle grade and YA fiction stories that have you smiling, crying, and growing right along with the characters. Bonus if the stories take place in urban settings and/or celebrate Black joy! I love a great picture book, too – ones that highlight the beauty in diversity, community, and childhood are the best. Educational picture books are up my alley, especially ones that can easily align with curriculum.

“As a child, I remember trips to the post office with my mom, Michelle Grajkowski, multiple times a week to fill our minivan trunk with tons of white USPS bins for her new (super cool) literary agency. The bins would end up in the dark, scary, basement room next to our playroom. I always wondered what secrets were typed in mom’s manuscripts… Years later, as I scanned through the library of mom’s published books in a different dark, scary room in our basement, I fell in love with the secrets that I was learning with every page I turned. Now, as an adult, I have become obsessed with bringing secrets out of the basement library and into my (very colorful) elementary classroom library. When I am not teaching fractions and key details, you can find me singing, trying new restaurants, exploring with my corgis, Momo & Georgie, or finding the best bargains. If you are ready to bring your secrets into the world with me (preferably into well-lit, not-so-scary rooms), pitch me!”