Ms. Garcia McCall was born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. She immigrated with her family to the United States when she was six years old and grew up in Eagle Pass, Texas (the setting of her novels and most of her poems). She was a high school English teacher in San Antonio for many years and in 2018 joined George Fox University as an Assistant Professor of English. She holds a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from the University of Texas at El Paso (2017) and a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts from Sul Ross State University (1989).
She is an award-winning author, poet, and educator, and is the recipient of the 2012 Pura Belpré Medal for narrative. Her books include:
- Under the Mesquite, Tu Books (New York) 2011.
- Summer of Mariposas, Tu Books (New York) 2012.
- Shame the Stars, Tu Books (New York) 2016.
- All the Stars Denied Tu Books (New York) 2018.
Check out her author website for more information, and of course, review the 2018 Mock Pura Belpré Award website