Matt de la pena biography

Bio

Matt de la Peña is a New York Times-bestselling author who has received numerous accolades for his young adult novels and picture books, including the prestigious Newbery Medal. He brings his books to life: detailing the "stories behind the stories" and explaining the inspiration behind his beloved books. Drawing on his own working-class background, he encourages students to find beauty in their everyday lives and explore timeless themes of wonder, gratitude, and love. Whether it's introducing young audiences to the joys of storytelling or telling his own inspiring story that took him from a reluctant reader to celebrated author, his audiences are left with a greater appreciation for the power that literature can have on individuals and communities alike.

Matt de la Peña, M.F.A.

Office: AL
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Matt de la Peña is the #1 New York Times Bestselling, Newbery Medal-winning author of seven young adult novels (including "Mexican WhiteBoy" and "We Were Here"), two middle grade novels, and seven picture books (including "Patchwork" and "Last Stop on Market Street").

In he was awarded the NCTE Intellectual Freedom Award. de la Peña received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his B.A. from the University of the Pacific where he attended school on a full basketball scholarship. In de la Peña was awarded an honorary doctorate from UOP.

Matt de la Peña was born in San Diego, California, way down by the Mexican border. His dad’s Mexican and his mom’s white, and he writes a lot about mixed race kids. He played basketball in college at the University of the Pacific where he studied psycholo-gy and English and tried to talk to as many pretty girls as he could. He’s very, very weary of spiders and people with big heads. He likes eating burritos.

Read more about Matt de la Peña on his website

Workshop: Reading and Writing on the Wrong Side of the Tracks

Not everyone is born in a big house in the suburbs with shelves full of books everywhere. Some kids grow up with nothing. And their lives are just as valid and interesting, both in and out of fiction. In my session we’ll discuss writing characters who are growing up on the “wrong side of the tracks”? We’ll discuss the mistakes they make along the way, as well as their moments of grace and dignity. I’ll use myself as a case study.

Featured books:

We Were Here by Matt de la Peña
grades

Ordered to write in a journal while completing his sentence in a group home, Miguel expresses feelings that make others aware of the terrible living cond

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