Picture a Peruvian-born storyteller weaving tales of family, identity, and the immigrant experience with lyrical grace—meet Natalia Sylvester! This award-winning author has captivated readers with novels that bridge cultures and generations, like the celebrated Everyone Knows You Go Home. With a knack for authentic storytelling, Sylvester invites us into worlds where empathy and heritage shine.
Born in Lima, Peru, and raised in the U.S., Sylvester’s work reflects her vibrant bicultural roots. From young adult gems to adult literary fiction, her stories resonate with heart and purpose, earning her accolades and a devoted readership. Ready to dive into her unforgettable narratives? Let’s explore her journey!
The Making of Natalia Sylvester
Natalia Sylvester was born in Lima, Peru, and moved to the United States at age four, growing up in Florida and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Her early years were shaped by a vivid imagination and a love for storytelling, sparked by typing poems on her mother’s office typewriter during recoveries from hip dysplasia surgeries. A BA in Creative Writing from the University of Miami honed her craft, and her career began in journalism and magazine editing before fiction became her true calling. This blend of cultural fluidity and personal resilience infuses her writing with depth and authenticity.
Natalia Sylvester’s Unforgettable Stories
Sylvester’s novels are a tapestry of emotional nuance and cultural richness. Her debut, Chasing the Sun (2014), named Best Debut Book by Latinidad, is a gripping tale of a kidnapping in 1990s Peru, inspired by family experiences. It blends thriller pacing with intimate family dynamics. Everyone Knows You Go Home (2018), a multigenerational saga, won an International Latino Book Award and the Jesse H. Jones Award, exploring love, secrets, and the immigrant journey with magical realism.
Her young adult novels shine just as brightly. Running (2020), a Junior Library Guild Selection, follows a senator’s daughter navigating political and personal awakening, while Breathe and Count Back from Ten (2022), a Pura Belpré and Schneider Family Honor Book, centers on a disabled Latina teen finding strength through swimming and mermaid myths. Sylvester’s lyrical prose and focus on identity, family, and resilience make her stories universally compelling.
Beyond novels, her essays in the New York Times, Bustle, and anthologies like A Map Is Only One Story amplify Latinx and disabled voices. Her first picture book, A Maleta Full of Treasures (2024), celebrates cultural heritage, and a forthcoming middle-grade novel, No Way Never Sisters (2026), promises more heartfelt storytelling.
Why Natalia Sylvester Matters
Natalia Sylvester’s impact lies in her ability to humanize the immigrant experience and champion diverse voices. Her stories challenge stereotypes, offering nuanced portraits of Latinx and disabled characters. As a faculty member at Regis University’s MFA program and an advocate with the Texas Book Festival, she empowers emerging writers, particularly writers of color, to claim space in a historically white industry. Her work fosters empathy, inviting readers to see the world through new lenses.
By blending cultural heritage with universal themes, Sylvester bridges divides, making her a vital voice in contemporary literature. Her awards and growing influence underscore her role as a storyteller who not only entertains but inspires change.
- Born: Lima, Peru
- Key Works: Chasing the Sun, Everyone Knows You Go Home, Running, Breathe and Count Back from Ten
- Awards: International Latino Book Award, Jesse H. Jones Award, Pura Belpré Honor, Schneider Family Honor
Snag Breathe and Count Back from Ten and dive into Natalia Sylvester’s lyrical world of heart and heritage!