An Interview with Sherri Smith

Sherri Smith writes novels that feature strong female protagonists dealing with issues of racial and ethnic identity. One critic described her work as a 'gumbo of cultural collisions and discoveries.' In 'Hot, Sour, Salty Sweet,' Ana, a 13-year-old Chinese-American/ African-American girl, grapples with her family as both a source of strength and deep embarrassment. In the award-winning 'Flygirl,' Smith tells the story of Ida Mae, a young African-American woman who dreams of serving in the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) during WWII, but encounters discrimination.