Originally from Mexico, Reyna Grande came to the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant at age nine to be reunited with her father. She went on to become the first person in her family to obtain a higher education. She holds a B.A. degree and an M.F.A. degree in creative writing. Her experiences as a child left behind in Mexico inspired the writing of her first novel, Across a Hundred Mountains. PEOPLE Magazine said of her novel, "It is a timely and riveting read." Her second novel, Dancing with Butterflies, about four women who share a love of Folklorico dancing, was inspired by Grande's own love of Folklorico, and her desire to bring it to Latino Literature. Her third book, a memoir titled The Distance Between Us, covers the years that she spent as a child left behind in Mexico while her parents worked in the U.S., and her adolescence in the U.S. as an immigrant and a victim of child abuse.  She is a sought-after speaker at middle/high schools, colleges and universities, where she speaks about the importance of higher education, writing, and overcoming obstacles. 

2010 International Latino Book Award
2010 Latino Books Into Movies Award
2007 American Book Award
2006 El Premio Aztlan Award (given by Rudolfo Anaya and UNM)
2003 Pen Center USA Emerging Voices Fellow