Alumna Reyna Grande (Kresge ’99, creative writing, film and video) has been named to Kirkus Reviews’ list of best books of the century in the non-fiction category. Grande’s memoir A Dream Called Home details how the award-winning author became the first person in her family to attend college and achieve her dream of becoming a writer.
The book, a sequel to her memoir The Distance Between Us, chronicles Grande’s journey to UC Santa Cruz, finding her place on campus, building a family, and ultimately succeeding as a best-selling author. In the book, Grande recalls many memories from her time at UCSC, both difficult and happy ones. She shares her deeply personal experiences as a first-generation student navigating a complex college landscape without family support. She details the first time she met an author in person (Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, author of Farewell to Manzanar); participated in her first protest in 1996 when Prop 209 passed, abolishing affirmative action in California; and learned life skills like painting walls, snaking drains, and refinishing furniture through her job with Kresge maintenance.
Kirkus Reviews is an influential literary review service that previews books before publication and is valued by librarians, booksellers, and publishing professionals.
UC Santa Cruz celebrates Grande's accomplishments as an acclaimed author and exceptional literary voice. UCSC published a story about Grande’s role empowering the next generation in a February 2024 donor and alumni profile.
