Tamara Girardi writes children’s books often inspired by things her four children say or do. Her debut board book, Why, Daddy? Why? released from Familius in May of 2022 and was named an Amazon's Editor Pick of 2022.

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Why, Mommy? Why? releases from Familius March 4, 2025!

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An author of young adult fiction as well, Tamara signed a book deal with Wise Wolf Books in June of 2021 for six young adult contemporary novels to release in 2022 and 2023. Gridiron Girl is the story of Julia Medina who quits the volleyball team to compete against her boyfriend for the starting quarterback position. The book won the Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite for Young Adult Fiction.

 

The second book in the series, Disorder on the Court, follows sophomore volleyball player, Melanie Corwin, who aspires to compete with the varsity squad.

 

Ultimate Takedown is the third book in the series about a wrestler named Annalise Fiori who has to come to terms with an embarrassment from her past to secure her future. In Shot Through the Heart, the final book in the series, Elle Corwin must face her grief from an epic breakup by working as a counselor at a summer grief camp but learns a secret that breaks her heart even more. 

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Also an academic, Tamara is an Associate Professor of English at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College where she teaches creative writing, technical writing, composition, and literature online. She has a PhD in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and studied fiction at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

 

She has co-edited the essay collections Young Adult Literature in the Composition Classroom: Essays on Practical Application (McFarland), Hero or Villain?: Essays on Dark Protagonists of Television (McFarland), and Theories and Strategies for Teaching Creative Writing Online (Routledge). She lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and adorably rambunctious children.