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.
