Francisco X. Stork

Francisco Xavier Stork (né Francisco Xavier Arguelles, born 1953) is a Mexican-American writer. He is best known for his award-winning 2009 book, Marcelo in the Real World. He is the author of eleven novels, including Disappeared, a Walter Dean Myers Award Honor Book, and One Last Chance to Live, published in September 2024.

Personal life Francisco Xavier Arguelles was born in Monterrey, Mexico in 1953 to single mother Ruth Arguelles. Because he was born outside of wedlock, his mother was sent to a convent to birth the child. He is married to Jill Syverson-Stork and has two children (Nicholas and Anna) and four grandchildren. Disappeared, The Memory of Light, The Last Summer of the Death Warriors, and Marcelo in the Real World.

Four of his books have been included in lists of the best young adult books of the year. Publishers Weekly included Marcelo in the Real World on their 2009 list and The Last Summer of the Death Warriors on their 2010 list. Bank Street College of Education named The Last Summer of the Death Warriors one of their Best Books of 2011 for ages 12-14. Kirkus Reviews named The Memory of Light one of the best teen books of 2016 and Disappeared one of the best teen books of 2017. The Chicago Public Library also named Disappeared one of the best young adult books of the year.