From the very beginning, words have been important to Marie Arana.

The Peruvian American's childhood was filled with music and literature, which formed her passion for storytelling and books as she navigated growing up in a bicultural household. Having an American mother, Arana learned to provide a counter narrative to Peruvian perceptions of Americans.

Her love of books and writing grew into a literary career: books editor for the Washington Post, the inaugural literary director of the Library of Congress, literary director for the National Book Festival, and champion for editors and writers alike.

And today, her counter narrative is focused on sharing the history and stories of who Latinos are through books like Silver, Sword, and Stone, and the recently released LatinoLand.

Arana knows that to reach the hearts and minds of all audiences, all you need is a good story.