Picture a storyteller who weaves raw, heartfelt tales of teens navigating life’s toughest moments—meet Carrie Arcos! Born in Albany, New York, this young adult author captured hearts with her debut novel, Out of Reach, a National Book Award Finalist that put her on the literary map. With a knack for blending gritty themes like addiction, grief, and cultural identity into relatable stories, Arcos has become a beloved voice in contemporary young adult fiction.
Now living in Los Angeles with her husband and three children, Arcos didn’t always dream of being a writer. It was her journey through teaching and motherhood that sparked her courage to chase her storytelling dreams, proving it’s never too late to follow your passion.
The Making of Carrie Arcos
Arcos’s path to authorship was anything but straight. Growing up in Albany, she was a bookworm drawn to young adult novels that tackled big emotions—think Judy Blume’s raw honesty. She studied English and Philosophy at Gordon College, later earning a teaching credential from Chapman University and an MA in Creative Writing from California State University Los Angeles. Years spent teaching high school and college students gave her a front-row seat to the teenage experience, shaping her authentic voice. It wasn’t until after her third child was born that Arcos found the courage to write her first novel, a leap inspired by her own mantra: “It’s never too late to chase your dream.”
Carrie Arcos’s Unforgettable Stories
Arcos’s debut, Out of Reach (2012), is a gut-punch of a story about Rachel, a teen searching for her brother, Micah, who’s spiraled into meth addiction. Praised for its empathetic take on family dynamics and the ripple effects of addiction, it earned a National Book Award Finalist nod. Her follow-up, There Will Come a Time (2014), dives into grief through Mark, a Filipino American teen processing his twin sister’s death. The novel’s bucket-list journey and raw emotional depth resonate deeply.
Crazy Messy Beautiful (2017) shifts gears, exploring love and art through Neruda Diaz, a teen with dysgraphia inspired by poet Pablo Neruda. It’s a lighter but no less poignant tale of friendship and self-discovery. In We Are All That’s Left (2018), Arcos tackles cultural identity and trauma, weaving dual narratives of a Bosnian teen during the 1990s war and a modern-day Rhode Island girl facing a terrorist attack. Arcos’s style—lyrical, honest, and grounded—makes heavy topics accessible, with characters who feel like friends you’d root for.
Why Carrie Arcos Matters
Arcos’s work stands out for its unflinching look at the messy, beautiful parts of being human. Her stories bridge cultural and generational gaps, offering teens (and adults) a mirror to their struggles and a window into others’ lives. By tackling addiction, grief, and identity with nuance, she’s carved a niche in young adult literature that’s both healing and empowering. Her school visits and writing workshops further amplify her impact, inspiring young readers to tell their own stories.
In a world where teens face unprecedented challenges, Arcos’s empathetic narratives remind us that hope and connection can emerge from pain. Her legacy is one of courage—both in her characters and in her own journey to become a writer.
About Carrie Arcos
- Born: Albany, New York
- Key Works: Out of Reach, There Will Come a Time, Crazy Messy Beautiful, We Are All That’s Left
- Awards: National Book Award Finalist for Out of Reach (2012)
- Fun Fact: She’s Italian and Irish and loves Good n Plenty candy!
Ready to dive into a story that’ll tug at your heartstrings? Snag Out of Reach or We Are All That’s Left and lose yourself in Carrie Arcos’s soulful young adult world!