Celia C. Perez is the author of The First Rule of Punk, a 2018 Pura Belpre Author Honor Book; Strange Birds, a 2020 Rise- A Feminist Book Project List Selection; and Tumble, whichreceived six starred reviews and is an NPR Best Book of 2022. Celia is a longtime maker of zines inspired by her love of punk music and writing. Her favorite zine supplies are a long-arm stapler, glue sticks, and watercolor pencils. She'll never stop picking cilantro out of her food at restaurants, and she owns two sets of worry dolls because you can never have too many. Originally from Miami, Florida, Celia lives in Chicago with her family where she works as a community college librarian.
Select awards and accolades for The First Rule of Punk: A 2018 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book A 2018 ALSC Notable Children’s Book A 2018 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award Winner A 2017 ABA Indies Introduce Title A Kids’ Indie Next List Pick An E.B. White Read-Aloud Middle Reader Award finalist A 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Fiction and Poetry Honor Book An Amelia Bloomer List Book CCBC Choices 2018 A 2018 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year A Junior Library Guild Selection Publishers Weekly Flying Start NPR Best Books of 2017 Kirkus Reviews Best Fiction of 2017 School Library Journal Best Books of 2017 ★ ""A charming debut about a thoughtful, creative preteen connecting to both halves of her identity."" —Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ ""Those who enjoy vivacious, plucky heroines... will eagerly embrace Malu."" —School Library Journal, starred review ★ ""Pérez’s debut is as exuberant as its heroine... A rowdy reminder that people are at their best when they aren’t forced into neat, tidy boxes."" —Publishers Weekly, starred review ""A voice that is equal parts witty and sharp."" —Bustle.com