Yamile Saied Méndez is an Argentine American author of picture books, children's books, young adult books, and adult romance. She is a Pura Belpré gold medal winner for her young adult novel, Furia. She is a founding member of Las Musas collective.
Background
Méndez was born in Rosario, Argentina. Méndez grew up attached to the culture of one grandfather, who was Syrian Lebanese; her mother was an orphan but knew she was a descendant of indigenous people from Argentina. Méndez received an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Méndez lives in Utah with her husband and five children. == Awards and recognition ==
Awards and recognition
• Walter Dean Myers grant to write Furia (2015) • Kirkus Best Books of 2019 • 2020 Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils) for Furia • Reese's YA Book Club selection for Furia (2020) • Winner of a Pura Belpré YA Author Medal for Furia (2021) • The Beautiful Game selected for 2025 Rise Book Project: Top Ten feminist books for young readers == Articles ==
Articles
• The Pen Ten: An Interview with Yamile Saied Méndez • Yamile Saied Méndez talks FURIA and the Argentina soccer scene • This Utah author has a new novel — and Reese Witherspoon just chose it for her book club == Bibliography ==