Meg Medina
Meg Medina
Full Name and Common Aliases
Meg Medina is a well-known American author of children's books, best known for her novels-in-verse and lyrical prose.
Birth and Death Dates
Born in 1968, exact birthdate not publicly available.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Medina is an American citizen and a full-time writer. Her work primarily focuses on young adult and middle-grade fiction.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, Medina's experiences as a Latina influenced her writing significantly. She drew inspiration from her community, family, and cultural heritage. This upbringing would later shape her exploration of themes such as identity, family dynamics, and social justice in her work.
Medina has mentioned that she was an avid reader from a young age, which sparked her interest in storytelling. Her love for words and world-building eventually led her to pursue a career in writing. After completing her education, Medina began working on children's books, honing her craft through dedication and hard work.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout her career, Medina has achieved numerous accolades for her literature:
Pura Belpré Award: Medina won this prestigious award in 2013 for her novel-in-verse "Ya Ya." The Pura Belpré Awards recognize outstanding contributions to children's and young adult literature written by Latinx authors.
Newbery Honor Book: Her book "Meridian*" was a Newbery Honor Book in 2020, solidifying her reputation as an accomplished author.Notable Works or Actions
Medina has published numerous novels that have captured the attention of readers worldwide:
_Ya Ya_ (2013): A novel-in-verse exploring themes of identity, family, and cultural heritage.
_Meridian_ (2020): A lyrical exploration of a young girl's experiences with her mother in post-Katrina New Orleans.
Medina is also known for advocating for diversity and representation in literature. She has been vocal about the importance of showcasing diverse voices and perspectives in children's books, which she believes can shape readers' understanding of themselves and their communities.
Impact and Legacy
Meg Medina's work has left an indelible mark on the world of children's literature:
Diverse representation: Her novels have contributed significantly to the growth of diverse voices in mainstream publishing. Medina's commitment to showcasing Latinx experiences, cultures, and perspectives has paved the way for other authors from underrepresented communities.
Empowering young readers: Through her writing, Medina aims to empower young readers by sharing stories that resonate with their lives. Her novels tackle complex themes, such as identity, family dynamics, and social justice, in an accessible manner.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Meg Medina is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
Authentic storytelling: Her writing is deeply rooted in her personal experiences and cultural heritage. This authenticity has earned her a dedicated readership and critical acclaim.
* Advocacy for diversity: Medina's commitment to advocating for diverse representation in literature has made her a respected voice in the publishing industry.
Quotes by Meg Medina

Cruz has never been my favorite person, I’ll give you that. But an enemy? There’s no sense i having those if we can help it” -Papi.

How can you say bad things about someone you don’t know?” I shout. “How can you hate a stranger? Why do you have to pick on people?” she’s not better than Yaqui. It’s like everywhere there’s a bully in my face.

I am frightened, too,′ he says. ‘We all are. But we are the Suarez family, Merci. We are strong enough to face this together.

Growing up is like walking through glass doors that only open one way – you can see where you came from but can’t go back.

Growing up is like walking through glass doors that only open one way--you can see where you came from but can't go back.


You never forget the books you loved as a kid. You never forget the poems you memorized, the first book you read until the cover fell off, the book you read hidden from your mother. What an honor to hold hands with a child's imagination in this way.


