We couldn't be more excited to welcome Mark Oshiro to discuss his masterful debut, Anger Is a Gift, an explosion of fury and revolution about teens in Oakland organizing to challenge state-sanctioned violence.

Mark Oshiro is the Hugo-nominated writer of the online Mark Does Stuff universe (Mark Reads and Mark Watches), where he analyzes book and TV series. He was the nonfiction editor of Queers Destroy Science Fiction! and the co-editor of Speculative Fiction 2015, and is the President of the Con or Bust Board of Directors. When not writing/recording reviews or editing, Oshiro engages in social activism online and offline. Anger is a Gift is his powerful debut YA contemporary fiction novel.

Moss Jeffries is many things--considerate student, devoted son, loyal friend and affectionate boyfriend, enthusiastic nerd. Sometimes Moss wishes he could be someone who hadn't become a rallying point for a community because of one horrible night. Moss can’t even escape at school―he and his friends are subject to the lack of funds and crumbling infrastructure at West Oakland High, as well as constant intimidation by the resource officer stationed in their halls. When tensions hit a fever pitch and tragedy strikes again, Moss must face a difficult choice: give in to fear and hate or realize that anger can actually be a gift.

A story of resilience and loss, love and family, Mark Oshiro's Anger is a Gift testifies to the vulnerability and strength of a community living within a system of oppression. 

Mark will be chatting with Nina LaCour  (We Are Okay, You Know Me Well, Everything Leads To You)