Julia Alvarez is an acclaimed American New Formalist poet, novelist, and essayist. She gained prominence with her novels "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" (1991), "In the Time of the Butterflies" (1994), and "Yo!" (1997). Her poetry collections include "Homecoming" (1984) and "The Woman I Kept to Myself" (2004). As an essayist, she is known for her autobiographical compilation "Something to Declare" (1998). Many literary critics regard her as one of the most significant contemporary Latina writers.

Alvarez has also written several books for younger readers, beginning with her first picture book, "The Secret Footprints", published in 2002. She has authored several other books for young readers, including the "Tía Lola" series.

Born in New York City, Alvarez spent the first ten years of her childhood in the Dominican Republic until her family fled due to her father's political involvement. Her works are often influenced by her experiences as a Dominican-American, focusing heavily on immigration, assimilation, and identity. Alvarez's work examines cultural expectations and stereotypes, particularly those affecting women in the Dominican Republic and the United States.

In recent years, Alvarez has expanded her subject matter with works like "In the Name of Salomé" (2000), featuring Cuban characters and fictionalized historical figures. She was a notable writer-in-residence at Middlebury College until her retirement in 2016.

Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Arts in 2013 from President Obama. She was the subject of a 2024 American Masters documentary, "Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined", on PBS. Alvarez is one of the founders of Border of Lights, a movement promoting peace between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. She currently resides in Vermont.