Clara Kumagai
@clarakiyoko.bsky.social
610 followers 260 following 150 posts
From Ireland, Japan and Canada Author of CATFISH ROLLING🌊 SONGS FOR GHOSTS out 2025 👻 Writer and reader she/her
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clarakiyoko.bsky.social
I have donated, I hope it helps even a little… I am sending love and strength ❤️🍉
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
SONGS FOR GHOSTS is out in the US today! 👻
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social
Wishing a happy book birthday to @clarakiyoko.bsky.social and her newest novel, SONG FOR GHOSTS, available from Abrams Books today!

Clara is a former WNDB mentee (mentored by our very own Dhonielle Clayton!) and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate her new release 📚❤️

👻 bit.ly/SongsForGhosts
Graphic displaying a gradient of grey to black in the background. At the top of the graphic is white text that says, “Out Today” followed by a mock-up book cover for “Songs for Ghosts” by Clara Kumagai, a new young adult book published by Abrams Books. The cover illustration shows a haunting figure of a pale ghost dressed in traditional Japanese garb. Their head and torso are only visible from the nose down and there are hundreds of fine fly-away hairs protruding outwards like spiderwebs. Graphic displaying a gradient of grey to black in the background. Book description: This genre-bending YA novel follows a boy who finds a century-old diary written by a young woman in Nagasaki, Japan — and becomes haunted by her vengeful spirit. When Adam discovers a diary in his attic, he is enthralled by its account of a young woman's life in Nagasaki. A hundred years separate them, yet like Adam, she is caught between cultures, relationships, and heartbreak. She also writes of the ghosts that have begun to seek her out, which Adam dismisses as fantasy—until he begins to be haunted by her terrifying spirit. Unravelling the mystery of her identity—and the wrong done to her—seems to be the only way to save himself. This leads Adam to a home stay in Nagasaki, where he begins to reconnect to his heritage not only through Japanese language and culture, but also by connecting with long-lost family members. And then begins a race against time as Adam and his new crush, Jo, attempt to untangle a story that has rippled through generations . . .
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
rurooie.bsky.social
Please share this fundraiser far and wide; help us to raise much-needed funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians. If you have any questions, please do get in touch with the email on our website.
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
I’m offering a signed and personalised copy of Songs for Ghosts and a ms critique as part of the Irish Kidlit for Palestine Fundraiser! Check out the items from brilliant writers and illustrators here: www.ruthennis.com/irish-kidlit...
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
unenthusiast.com
live action catbus looking pretty sweet
orange cat lying on floor with square lights reflected on his flank that resembles lit windows
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
popgoesthereader.bsky.social
🌟 Hey, YA readers! You won't want to miss these 40 exciting new young adult books being published in August 2025! 🌟
popgoesthereader.com/hot-off-the-...
#BookSky #YALit #KidLit
A compilation of ten book covers of ten young adult books being published in August 2025. Books featured include A Beautiful and Terrible Murder, This Place Kills Me, Starstrike, Lady Dragon, The Devil's In The Dancers, A Spell To Wake The Dead, Mistress of Bones, The Executioner's Three, Girls of Dark Divine and Woven From Clay.
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
I’m sorry I can’t donate more but I hope it helps ❤️
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Hello Baraa, I donated a few days ago. I hope it helps ❤️
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
72 people were killed by air strikes, some of whom were sheltering in IDF designated “safe zones”

That is the context of our fast.
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
I just finished my 48 hour fast as part of the collective Hunger Strike for Gaza.

I’m okay because there is food at hand for me to eat.

Within 48 hours of Sunday and Monday, about
-9 adults and 2 children have died of starvation in Gaza
-76 people were killed while seeking aid
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
I have donated, I’m sorry I can’t give more but I hope it helps a little ❤️
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
I know it’s not much but I hope my donation helps ❤️
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Myself and Dave are joining other writers across Ireland & UK and doing a 48 hour hunger strike for Gaza!

This is to raise urgent funds for The Sameer Project, to raise awareness of the engineered famine in Gaza, and to show solidarity with Palestinians who have been starved for months now.
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
oisinmcgann.bsky.social
Gaza is being starved by Israel. Aid is available but the Israelis are refusing to allow access to those who need it. Time is running out fast.

If you’re based in Ireland, please email your TD now to demand the government takes action to ensure the aid gets in.

action.uplift.ie/campaigns/ga...
Gaza needs food - not words
I just emailed my local TDs demanding the government does all it can to let food into Gaza. Will you do the same?
action.uplift.ie
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
SONGS FOR GHOSTS is out in two weeks in Canada and three weeks in the US! And here is a ✨starred✨ review from Kirkus to usher it across the Atlantic! 💙📚
Graphic with a background of the night sky with clouds and stars at the top. Below this reads ‘STARRED REVIEW’.
On the left is an image of the US/Cdn cover of SONGS FOR GHOSTS.
To the right is text that reads:

“Kumagai’s sophomore novel is an exciting blend of paranormal, mystery, and romance elements. The past and present are entwined and parallel one another in this beautifully emotional story of love, betrayal, heartbreak, death, and family. A thrilling and creative story of growth.”
- Kirkus Reviews

Below is text which reads:
Out in Canada Aug. 5th
Out in the US Aug. 12th
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Currently reading: The Dark Becomes Her by Judy I. Lin 💙📚
Copy of The Dark Becomes Her by Judy I.Lin on a wooden table
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
unseenjapan.com
In the post, Yu says: "Japanese is my mother tongue. I was born & raised here. Do you hold the rights to the use of the Japanese language? Do I have to obtain your permission to use Japanese?"
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
unseenjapan.com
The surge in anti-immigrant sentiment in Japan has led to increasing online attacks against award-winning author Yu Miri (TOKYO UENO STATION). Attackers tell her not to write in Japanese and "go home."

Yu is Zainichi Korean, born in Japan. Japanese is her native language.
X post by Yu Miri. JP: 日本語は、私の母語です。
日本で生まれ育ちましたから。

あなたが、日本語の使用権をお持ちなのでしょうか?

あなたに、日本語を使う許諾をとらなければならないのでしょうか?
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
I’m working my way through all her books—am obsessed!