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Reyna Grande

Reyna Grande is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Across A Hundred Mountains (Atria 2006), for which she received an American Book Award (2007) and El Premio Aztlan Literary Award (2006). Her latest novel, Dancing with Butterflies, was published in October 2009 to rave reviews. It received a 2010 International Latino Book Award in its Best Women's Issues category.

Born in Mexico in 1975, Grande was raised by her grandparents after her parents left her behind while they worked in the U.S. She came to the U.S. at the age of nine as an undocumented immigrant and went on to become the first person in her family to obtain a higher education.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing and Film and Video from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Antioch University. She is a sought-after speaker at middle/high schools, colleges and universities across the nation. She is the Program Coordinator of the Latino Book & Family Festival. She is currently at work on a memoir.

School Affiliations:

Aldama Elementary '87--Highland Park

Luther Burbank Jr. H.S. '90-Highland Park

Benjamin Franklin H.S. '93-Highland Park

Pasadena City College '96

UC, Santa Cruz '99

Antioch University '08