Kathleen Burkinshaw

Kathleen Burkinshaw is a Japanese American author, the daughter of a Hiroshima survivor and resides in Charlotte, NC. She’s a wife, mom, and owns a dog who thinks she’s a kitchen ninja. In 2019 she spoke about her mother’s experience in Hiroshima at the United Nations (NYC) and on UN virtual events for the 75th anniversary of atomic bombing. Kathleen has presented to middle/high schools around the world for the past 10 years. She also has been a featured guest on NHK World Japan, Asian American Magazines, and on numerous podcasts. Writing gives her an outlet for her daily struggle with chronic pain from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. The Last Cherry Blossom (Distributed by Simon &Schuster and Scholastics,2016/2020), is now a United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Resource for Teachers and Students. And nominated for 2019 NC School Library Media Association YA book award,2019-2020 Volunteer State Book Award (Tennessee), 2018& 2016 Scholastic WNDB Reading Club selection, and Finalist for NC Sir Walter Raleigh Fiction Award, 2018 Sakura Medal, Japan, and SCBWI Crystal Kite Award(southeast region),