Winterfolk

This gorgeous and lyrical debut novel is perfect for fans of Nova Ren Suma, Laura Ruby, and Nina LaCour.

Rain doesn’t wish on stars anymore.

For as long as she can remember, her home has been among the Winterfolk, a group of homeless people living outside Seattle. Being homeless has taught Rain how to be invisible.

But when she discovers that the city plans to sweep out the Winterfolk’s camp, her world is shattered. Determined to face the world like she’s never had to before, she convinces her friend King to take her to Seattle.

The city is full of strange sights, sounds, people—and memories. When Rain and King are separated, she must fend for herself, and realizes that she’s not invisible after all. And if she’s going to save herself, King, and the Winterfolk, she’ll need to find a star big enough to make all of her wishes come true.

• A Powerful Survival Story: Separated from her only friend in the overwhelming city of Seattle, Rain must learn to be seen if she wants to survive.
• Deep Teen Friendship: A poignant look at the fierce, protective bond between Rain and King as they navigate a world that wants to erase them.
• Social Justice Themes: When an eviction notice threatens to destroy their community, the Winterfolk must fight for their right to exist in a city that looks right through them.
• Lyrical, Atmospheric Prose: Experience a gritty, unforgettable world through the eyes of a girl who sees magic in fallen stars and family in the forgotten.

“With its gorgeous prose, big heart, and sophisticated interplay between fantasy and reality, Winterfolk gently shows us that hope is its own kind of magic. Janel Kolby is a visionary, electrifying writer.” - Anne Ursu, National Book Award Finalist for The Real Boy

“Richly observed and wholly original, Winterfolk exists in that slippery realm between magic and reality. Rain’s race to save her community and find herself while navigating the seamy underbelly of Seattle feels like a fever dream, propulsive, hallucinatory, and profoundly moving.” - Laura Ruby, National Book Award Finalist and Printz Award Winning Author of Bone Gap

“Fans of Jandy Nelson and Anna-Marie McLemore’s juxtapositions of the everyday with the fantastic will revel in Kolby’s emotional, layered prose that has a distinctly poetic quality. Rain’s haunting, endearing, unique voice will propel readers through this impressive first novel that highlights a too-often overlooked part of the population. Gorgeous, expressive magical realism from a promising debut author.” - Booklist

“Skillfully balances hard realism with hope. A thoughtful dive into a far-too-often-overlooked part of society.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Fans of Jandy Nelson and Anna-Marie McLemore will revel in Kolby’s emotional, layered prose that has a poetic quality. Rain’s unique voice will propel readers through this impressive first novel that highlights a too-often overlooked part of the population. Gorgeous, expressive magical realism from a promising debut author.” - Booklist

“Rain’s compassionate narrative illuminates emotional, psychosocial, educational, and physical challenges impacting homeless people.” - School Library Journal

“Winterfolk is all about Rain’s unique, poetic voice, and her distant, fairy tale view of the world. It’s rare to find a book that is so gentle and so brutal at once, but Rain will take your hand and show you the way through.” - NPR