Donna Barba Higuera
Official Author Site
“Humorous, fast-paced chapters will have readers turning the pages to find out what interesting situation Lupe will find herself in next. A laugh-out-loud story about family, friendship, and the beauty in being true to yourself.”
—Booklist, Starred Review
American Library Association- Best Books for Youth List 2020
“Inclusive and emotionally resonant, Higuera’s debut is a home run, with a plot as multifaceted and compelling as her characters, whose nuanced voices and varied range of interests ring wholly true.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"In the context of middle grade literature, Higuera’s novel delivers on virtually every level. It’s remarkably funny, but many of the moments of levity are meaningful. Higuera has knocked it out of the park."
—The New York Times
LUPE WONG WON'T DANCE is now available!
Levine Querido
September 2020
Twelve year old Lupe Wong WILL be the 1st female pitcher in major league baseball. But the American pastime of Square Dancing as P.E. curriculum is something a kid like Lupe can’t relate to culturally or otherwise. She vows to get the archaic tradition banned, and a comedy of disasters ensues.
"Grab your partner and do-si-do—this one is simply delightful."
—Kirkus Reviews
And coming soon in Spanish!
Y veniendo próxima en Español!
LUPE WONG NO BAILA
EL CUCUY IS SCARED, TOO! is now available for pre-order!
Abrams Kids
July 2021
When Ramón moves to a new town with a new school and new kids, suddenly El Cucuy, aka the Mexican boogeyman, is suddenly less horrifying than all the new changes. But El Cucuy is sad and afraid too. Ramón realizes if he can reassure and help El Cucuy to be fuerte y valiente, then perhaps he can be strong and brave as well.
Illustrated by
Books to Come
The Last Cuentista
Levine Querido
Fall 2021
Relocating to a new planet after Earth is destroyed, 12-year-old Petra Peña’s suspended animation fails during the 370-year journey, so when all the other children are mysteriously reprogrammed and the adults purged, Petra becomes the lone bringer of Earth's now forbidden stories and her grandmother's Mexican folklore to a changing humanity.
About Donna
Donna grew up in central California surrounded by agricultural and oil fields. As a child, rather than dealing with the regular dust devils, she preferred spending recess squirreled away in the janitor’s closet with a good book. Her favorite hobbies were calling dial-a-story over and over again, and sneaking into a restricted cemetery to weave her own spooky tales using the crumbling headstones as inspiration.
Donna's Middle Grade and Picture Books are about kids who find themselves in odd or scary situations. From language to cultural differences in being biracial life can become…complicated. So like Donna, characters tackle more than just the bizarre things that happen to them in their lives.
Donna likes to write about all things funny, but also sad, and creepy, and magical. If you like those things, she hopes you will read her books!
Donna lives in Washington State with her family, three dogs and two frogs.
You can find Donna through the "Social Media" links below, or through the Connect portal in the "Contact" section with questions.
Teachers and Librarians: Please contact me for classroom Skype visits!
Happy reading and writing!
Links
My biggest supporters/critiquers (members of the infamous Papercuts)
Other:
Contact
Please fill out the form below to reach Donna regarding school or Skype visits, or anything at all!
Literary Agent
Allison Remcheck
Stimola Literary Studio
Social Media
© 2021 by Donna Barba Higuera