Picture a Guatemalan-American storyteller who weaves tales of identity, culture, and resilience—meet Jennifer De Leon! With her award-winning works like Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From and Wise Latinas, she’s carved a vibrant space in young adult and memoir literature, capturing the Latinx experience with humor and heart.
Born to Guatemalan parents in Boston, De Leon’s journey as a writer, educator, and speaker reflects her passion for storytelling as a bridge between cultures. Her work resonates with readers navigating the complexities of belonging, making her a vital voice in contemporary American letters.
The Making of Jennifer De Leon
Jennifer De Leon grew up in the Boston area, the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants who made sacrifices to offer her a better life. From a young age, she was a voracious reader and writer, filling sticker-covered journals with stories. Her multicultural background shaped her perspective, as she often felt caught between worlds—neither fully fitting in with her American peers nor her Guatemalan roots. After graduating from Connecticut College with a double major in International Relations and French, she joined Teach for America, earning a Master’s in Teaching from the University of San Francisco. Later, she pursued an MFA in Creative Writing at UMass Boston, honing her craft and finding her voice.
De Leon’s early career as a Boston Public Schools teacher profoundly influenced her writing. Her students’ stories of resilience and identity inspired her to create narratives that reflect the real struggles and joys of Latinx youth. This blend of personal and professional experience laid the foundation for her literary career.
Jennifer De Leon’s Unforgettable Stories
De Leon’s debut novel, Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From (2020), is a young adult gem that follows Liliana Cruz, a first-generation Latina navigating a predominantly white high school. The story tackles racism, code-switching, and family secrets with humor and empathy, earning praise as a Junior Library Guild selection and the Walter Dean Myers Grant. Critics lauded its candid take on Latinx identity, with Celeste Ng calling it “a much-needed story.”
Her essay collection, White Space: Essays on Culture, Race, & Writing (2021), won the Juniper Prize for Creative Nonfiction. It explores De Leon’s journey as a Guatemalan-American, from college culture shock to reconnecting with her heritage in Guatemala. The collection is raw, funny, and poignant, offering a window into the immigrant experience. De Leon also edited Wise Latinas: Writers on Higher Education (2014), an International Latino Book Award-winning anthology amplifying Latina voices in academia. Her 2023 YA novel, Borderless, follows a teen girl’s perilous journey from Guatemala to the U.S. border, blending suspense with emotional depth.
De Leon’s style is accessible yet profound, weaving humor, cultural nuance, and social commentary. Her stories center Latinx characters, challenging stereotypes and celebrating resilience. Whether through fiction or essays, she invites readers to question assumptions and embrace diverse identities.
Why Jennifer De Leon Matters
Jennifer De Leon’s work amplifies underrepresented voices, particularly Latinx youth and immigrants, in a literary landscape that often overlooks them. Her storytelling fosters empathy and dialogue, making her a sought-after speaker at schools and festivals. As an Associate Professor at Framingham State University and a faculty member at Harvard’s Creative Writing program, she mentors aspiring writers, emphasizing the power of story to heal and connect. Her Story Bridge Project, a community storytelling initiative, further extends her impact by fostering inclusivity.
De Leon’s ability to blend personal narrative with universal themes has made her a trailblazer. Her work inspires readers to embrace their identities and challenge societal divides, cementing her legacy as a literary and cultural force.
- Born: Boston, to Guatemalan parents
- Key Works: Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, White Space, Wise Latinas, Borderless
- Awards: Walter Dean Myers Grant, Juniper Prize, International Latino Book Award
- Fun Fact: Her short story “Home Movie” was distributed to 30,000 Bostonians for the 2015 Boston Book Festival!
Snag Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From or Borderless and dive into Jennifer De Leon’s vibrant, heartfelt world of Latinx storytelling!