Wendy Lu
Asian American children’s author and award-winning disability journalist
About Wendy
Wendy Lu (she/her) is an award-winning journalist, a children’s book author, and a global speaker on disability representation in the media. She is the author of “Casting April,” a middle-grade novel from Penguin Random House about a girl who is determined to land the starring role in her school's play — except nobody believes she can do it because of her disability. “Casting April” was selected for the Indie Next List and the Indies Introduce List in 2026. Outside of writing fiction, Wendy works as a deputy editor at The New York Times and has covered disability, politics and culture for the last 10 years. She was listed on Forbes’s 30 Under 30 for her efforts to improve disability coverage nationwide. Wendy lives in New York with her husband, Andrew, and their turtle, Little Cloud.
Books
What educators say
“Wendy's visit was thoughtful and engaging for my middle school newspaper staff...Her personal story about finding her niche in the journalism world also inspired students to think more about their own ‘storytelling superpower.’ I highly recommend Wendy to anyone who wants the young people they work with to be able to see how their writing can make a real-world impact!”
“Every young person should have the chance to meet and hear from Wendy Lu! She has worked with both our middle and high school students, always to rave reviews. Wendy has an uncanny sense for meeting young writers, especially, exactly where they are and leaving them feeling empowered and inspired!”
“Wendy Lu fit right in as a classroom educator with my rambunctious and excited middle schoolers. She is so engaging with her story and provides moments for kids to interact with each other. My students loved her workshops!”
Visit formats
What a visit includes
I’m available for half-day visits (up to 2 hours) or single-class visits (up to 60 minutes), either in person or virtually, depending on my schedule. I provide author readings, book signings, writing workshops, improv activities, engaging sessions on journalism and disability, and much more!
Fees vary by format, travel, and your school's needs. Reach out directly for a quote and open dates.
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