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Dr. David Bowles, an associate professor in the UTRGV Department of Literatures and Cultural Studies, grew up in the Rio Grande Valley with the nickname “Güero,” granted from his father’s Mexican-American heritage. Now, he bestows it on the protagonist of his newest book, ‘They Call Me Güero,’ a novel in verse filled with slice-of-life poems illustrating life as a border kid. The book recently earned a 2019 Tomas Rivera Book Award, as well as the 2019 Walter Dean Myers Awards for Outstanding Children’s Literature. It has been named a Pura Belpré Author Honor Book and made the School Library Journal 2018 Best Books List Honor, Middle Grade. It was named a National Council of Teachers of English Notable Verse Novel for Children 3-13, and an ALSC Notable Children's Book, 2019, and was named a Shelf Awareness 2018 Best Children’s and Teen Books of the Year, Middle Grade. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

‘They Call Me Güero’: UTRGV literature professor celebrates Mexican-American culture and youth

02.20.2019

Spanish-speakers often refer to a person with light hair, eyes and complexion as “güero” – a term of endearment free of cultural or racial overtones.

UTRGV students iron out one of the flags for display in the traveling Civil War exhibit

History Lesson: UTRGV students, CHAPS program assemble Civil War exhibit

02.14.2019

Gloves on, case open and an instructor telling students to be careful as they lift a historical rifle to be placed inside a glass case: It’s the beginning of bringing a Civil War exhibit to life.

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FESTIBA 2019

February 25 – March 3

Join us for FESTIBA, the Festival of International Books and Arts. With the theme of Inspiring Communities and Celebrating Cultural Heroes, the weeklong celebration will feature academic presentations, workshops, mariachi competitions and concerts, presentations and book signings by artists, authors and poets and much more.