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Award-Winning Author, Illustrator & Poet
“The book is absolutely wonderful… and I didn’t want it to end.”
-Elizabeth Thurmond, proofreader of Artemis Fowl, Bartimaeus, Kane Chronicles,
and the Gallagher Girls series.
Just Out!
“An exciting synthesis of dystopian, SF, and magical realist tales that will entertain young and adult readers alike.”
-Kirkus Reviews.
“This book reminded me a lot of Chronicles of Narnia except with a deeply woven Mexican and indigenous culture as the focal point. This book brings a non-white culture and non-white characters to the forefront in an era where representation is so critical in children's literature.”
-Reedsy Discovery.
About the Author
Desirée Calderón de Fawaz is the winner of the 2018 Middle East Book Award for her children’s book Tata’s Earrings (Los Aretes de Tata). Now, the former microbiologist brings us her debut novel Quetzalli’s Last Song, an adventure based on experiences from her unconventional Mexican childhood. In this novel, Desirée is determined to combat the misrepresentation of her cultures through Brum Hesles: a stressed, witty, female protagonist that will surely leave readers of POC works yearning for more.
Desirée now lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and three children. When not negotiating peace amongst quarreling chaneques, she practices yoga, learns herbology, and enjoys challenging what you think you know about the world.
News & Events
Mar. 8-11
Attending the AWP as part of the panel "Publishing Choices for Inclusive YA/MG fiction".
Apr. 2023
Visit my Instagram for more info on the upcoming book 2 of Brum's series: "Tollan's Ballad"! It's in its last editing round at the moment. :)
What People Are Saying...
There is something special about this tale that every kid and even adults can feel when you read it – the special bond between Tata and Maya, the stories of a grandfather who embodied strength, compassion and love for others. Beautiful message.
Mother of Paola Belloso (age 10),
READER VIEWS
Through delightful text and gorgeous illustrations, Desiree Calderon takes us on a colorful adventure around the world, in which a little girl learns to see the magic and wonder of life through an epic yet simple account of how grandma's magical earrings traveled the globe until they found her.
Rebecca Massey,
PHOTOGRAPHER
Tata's earrings is a charming little book that resonates with multicultural kids, but teaches all children how, despite where our ancestors come from, we are all equally magical creatures.
Maria Papandreou,
KINDERGARTEN TEACHER
Contact
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