Donna.Barba Higuera author page

Donna Barba Higuera Biography

Early Life in Central California

• Born and raised in Central California, Donna Barba Higuera grew up amidst agricultural and oil fields.
• Her childhood was marked by a love for reading, spending hours engrossed in captivating books.
• Noteworthy was her unique hobby of calling dial-a-story and drawing inspiration for spooky tales from local cemeteries.

Exploring Diverse Themes in Writing

• Donna’s Middle Grade and Picture Books delve into the lives of children facing peculiar or unsettling situations.
• Her works explore themes of language and cultural differences, offering insights into the challenges of living a biracial life.
• Known for her versatility, Donna weaves narratives that touch upon the spectrum of emotions—funny, sad, creepy, and magical.

Professional Life and Healthcare

• Currently residing in Washington State with her family, three dogs, and two frogs, Donna Barba Higuera is an accomplished figure in children’s literature.
• Beyond her writing pursuits, she actively contributes to the healthcare sector.

Key Literary Works

• Lupe Wong Won’t Dance (2020): Donna’s debut novel, recognised with the Pura Belpré Award honor and PNBA winner in 2021, is a middle-grade sports novel.
• The Last Cuentista (2021): This middle-grade dystopian novel secured the prestigious 2022 Newbery Medal and Pura Belpré Medal.

Awards and Accolades

• Lupe Wong Won’t Dance received acclaim, earning the ALSC Notable Children’s Books designation and selection in Booklist Editors’ Choice for Books for Youth in 2020.
• Her novel The Last Cuentista was recognized as a finalist for the Cybils Award for Elementary and Middle Grade Speculative Fiction in 2021.
• In 2022, Donna Barba Higuera’s outstanding contribution to literature was acknowledged with the Newbery Medal and the Pura Belpré Award for Author.

Notable Publications

• Lupe Wong Won’t Dance (Levine Querido, 2020)
• The Last Cuentista (Levine Querido, 2021)
• El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! (Abrams, 2021)
• ¡El Cucuy también tiene miedo! (expected 2023)
• The Yellow Handkerchief (Abrams, 2023)
• It’s Navidad, El Cucuy! (expected 2023)

This concise biography outlines Donna Barba Higuera’s journey from her childhood influences to becoming an award-winning author, emphasizing her literary achievements and thematic explorations.