About Kara

of her latest children’s book Sweet ‘n’ Sour and debut novel Not Just a Simple Chinese Girl, and is committed to uplifting Asian American voices in the Chicago community and beyond. As a young Asian American writer, Eng strives to empower the youth to use their gifts and talents to make an impact on others, especially within their communities. She shares the richness and beauty of culture though the spoken and written word, partnering with local sponsors in Chinatown and beyond, conducting book talks, and most recently, leading a 3-mile literary-inspired Chinatown fun run featuring locations from her novel.

Eng’s work has been featured on WGN 9, Chicago’s NBC 5 News, the “Next-Gen American Authors Celebrate their Culture and Heritage” webinar with the Chinese American Heritage Foundation, the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, the Reading with Your Kids Podcast, the Chicago Public Libraries, the Austin Public Libraries, and Read & Run Chicago.

In May 2024, during AAPI Heritage Month, she was invited by Alderman Nicole Lee as a guest of honor to the Chicago City Council in recognition of her contributions as an author and her documentary work on the history of Chicago’s Chinatown.

When she is not writing or engrossed in books, you’ll find her singing, baking, running, playing volleyball, spending time with loved ones, or venturing for the finest boba and matcha lattes. She is currently studying at the University of Texas at Austin.