Benjamin Alire Sáenz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Alire Sáenz
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Sáenz at the 2016 Texas Book Festival
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| Born | August 16, 1954 Doña Ana County, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | St. Thomas Seminary (BA) University of Texas at El Paso (MA) |
| Period | 1990s–present |
| Genre | Novels, short stories, poetry, young adult literature |
| Subject | Hispanic and Latino American culture, LGBT |
| Notable works | Carry Me Like Water, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, The Inexplicable Logic of My Life, Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club |
| Notable awards | American Book Award (1992) PEN/Faulkner Award (2013) |
Benjamin Alire Sáenz, born on August 16, 1954, is a well-known American writer. He writes many types of books, including poetry, novels, and stories for young people. He is especially famous for his books for young adults and children.
Contents
About Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Early Life and Education
Benjamin Alire Sáenz grew up near Las Cruces, New Mexico. He studied at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colorado, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later, he received a Master of Arts degree in creative writing from the University of Texas at El Paso. He still lives and works in El Paso, Texas.
Writing Career and Achievements
Sáenz has written many popular books. In 2013, he made history by becoming the first Latino writer to win the PEN/Faulkner Book Award for Fiction. He won this important award for his book Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club.
On October 29, 2022, Sáenz was honored with the first-ever Hummingbird Award in Literary Arts. This award was given by the Tulsa City-County Library and the Hispanic Resource Center. It recognized his contributions to literature.
Awards and Recognition
Benjamin Alire Sáenz has received many awards for his writing. These awards show how much his work is appreciated.
- Wallace E. Stegner Fellowship for poetry
- 1992 American Book Award for Calendar of Dust
- Lannan Poetry Fellowship in 1993
- Southwest Book Award for Carry Me Like Water (1996)
- Southwest Book Award for Dark and Perfect Angels (1996)
- Best Children's Book 2000, Texas Institute of Letters, for Grandma Fina and Her Wonderful Umbrellas
- Americas Book Award for Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood
- Paterson Book Prize for Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood
- Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award for He Forgot to Say Goodbye
- Southwest Book Award for He Forgot to Say Goodbye
- Best Children's Book 2008, Friends of the Austin Public Library, for A Perfect Season for Dreaming
- Stonewall Book Award for Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2013)
- Honor Book, Michael L. Printz Award, for Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2013)
- Pura Belpré Award for Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2013)
Books by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Benjamin Alire Sáenz writes for different age groups, from young children to adults.
Novels for Young Adults
- Last Night I Sang to the Monster, published in 2009
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, published in 2012
- The Inexplicable Logic of My Life, published in 2017
- Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World, published in 2021
Children's Books
- A Perfect Season for Dreaming, published in 2008
- The Dog Who Loved Tortillas, published in 2009
Other Works
- Carry Me Like Water, a novel published in 1995
- En el tiempo de la Luz, a novel published in 2006
- "To the Desert," "Resurrections," included in Twentieth Century American Poetry (2004)
See also
In Spanish: Benjamin Alire Sáenz para niños
