This biography introduces readers to Julia Alvarez, the Pura Belpré Award winning author who wrote How Tía Lola Came to Visit Stay, Return to Sender, Before We Were Free, The Secret Footprints, and A Gift of Gracias, as well as other books for children and adults. Readers will learn about Alvarez's life in the Dominican Republic and the United States, her work as a writing teacher, and her sustainable coffee farm. Easy-to-read text and full-color photos highlight Alvarez's childhood, family, education, and life as a poet, adult and young adult fiction writer, essayist, and picture book author. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.