LOCAL AUTHORS

This space features authors who are either local to the area or grew up in greater Boston. Expect teasers of both their work, their writing life, and any events they are participating in that you may be able to attend.

Jennifer De Leon is an author, editor, speaker, and creative writing professor who lives outside of Boston. She is the editor of Wise Latinas: Writers on Higher Education, the 2015–2016 Writer-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library, and a 2016–2017 City of Boston Artist-in-Residence. She is also the second recipient of the We Need Diverse Books grant. Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From is her debut novel.

EVENTS

She will be a featured speaker at October's Boston Book Fest, all happening for free and virtually. Join YA: Speaks the Truth on Friday, October 16 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Be sure to register for the event ahead of time--all you need is an email address to hold your spot.

DON'T ASK ME WHERE I'm FROM

BY JENNIFER DE LEON

QUICK TAKE

Half Salvordorian and half Guatemalan, 15 year old Liliana has to adjust to attending a new, almost all white high school in suburban Westburg. Trying to fit in, she disguises her LatinX Boston life, becoming Lili and learning to be more white, while all the time worried about her father’s prolonged absence. Where is he and why hasn’t he come back? This is a witty coming of age novel about class, race, identity and immigration.

GOOD TO KNOW

WHERE TO CHECK IT OUT

This title is available for check out in our physical collection, as well as available digitally through SORA in ebook format and audiobook.