Pat Mora's Story

Pat Mora's grandparents moved to the United States during the Mexican Revolution. They settled in El Paso, Texas, where Pat's mother grew up in a Spanish-speaking household while attending an English-speaking school. Her mother's name was Estelita at home, but Stella at school. She often played the role of translator between these two worlds. One generation later, Pat Mora grew up in a bilingual home and attended an English-speaking school.

Pat Mora has worked as a teacher, a university administrator, and a consultant on U.S.-Mexico cultural exchanges. She has written more than 25 books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for children and adults. She has received numerous honors and awards. In addition to writing, Pat Mora travels around the country, speaks at conferences, visits schools, and promotes literacy for Hispanic children.