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2016 NCTE Intellectual Freedom Award
On August 13, 2016 In Uncategorized
I’m thrilled to be honored by NCTE with the 2016 Intellectual Freedom Award. It means the world to me. Below is the official press release. Urbana, Illinois – NCTE honors Matt de la Peña for his courage in standing up for intellectual freedom with the NCTE National Intellectual Freedom Award, given
Last Stop on Market Street Wins 2016 Newbery Medal!
On January 18, 2016 In Uncategorized
Last stop on Market Street has been awarded the 2016 Newbery Medal! I’m stunned and humbled and incredibly proud of this book (illustrated by the great Christian Robinson). Last Stop was also awarded a 2016 Caldecott Honor and a 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book. Here’s the cover with all those shiny new
NCTE/ALAN 2015
On November 18, 2015 In Uncategorized
So many of my favorite authors and educators will be in Minneapolis this week for NCTE and ALAN. Here’s where I will be: Thursday, Nov 19 12 – 4pm — Diversity in Children’s Literature: One Year Later (My panel is from 2:05-3:20) Minneapolis Convention Center 101H Program Description: This session
Winston-Salem Festival of Books and Authors
On September 10, 2015 In Uncategorized
North Carolina friends, I’ll be in Winston-Salem this weekend for the Festival of Books and Authors. I’d love to see you! Here’s my Saturday schedule: September 12 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM at Winston Square Park — Spanish & English Storytime. I’ll be reading Last Stop on Market Street in both English and Spanish.
The Hunted Launch at McNally Jackson
On May 12, 2015 In Uncategorized
Today, May 12, is the official release date of THE HUNTED (sequel to THE LIVING)! This is the end of Shy’s story. And it’s kind of crazy. I hope you will check it out! I will be launching the novel on Thursday, May 14, at McNally Jackson: Details here. Thanks so much for your
How We Talk (or Don’t Talk) About Diversity When We Read with Our Kids
On April 3, 2015 In Uncategorized
Last Stop on Market Street has been out for a couple months now, and we’re so proud of the response we’re getting from readers (especially the little guys). I’ve been thinking a lot about how diverse titles relate to very young readers. Here’s an essay I wrote about it on Brightly.
Last Stop on NPR’s Morning Edition
On February 6, 2015 In Uncategorized
Last Stop on Market Street is a quiet little book about a boy and his grandma riding the bus from church to their soup kitchen. I set out to tell a simple, realist urban story featuring “diverse” characters. I was also thrilled to be working with one of the most talented illustrators in the field, Christian
Last Stop on Market Street Hits Bookstores this Week!
On January 5, 2015 In Uncategorized
Happy 2015! I’m super excited to announce that my second picture book, Last Stop on Market Street, comes out January 8th. The book is a “Winter 2014-2015 Kids’ Indie Next Pick” and has already received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. Here’s what folks are saying: “This celebration of cross-generational bonding is a textual
University of the Pacific Event (November 19) — A Bit About Hoops
On November 12, 2014 In Uncategorized
On November 19, I’ll be doing a reading at my alma mater, the University of the Pacific. Details here. UOP is a really special place. With special professors. Graduating from college is still the accomplishment I’m most proud of. But there’s a second reason I’m really looking forward to this event. My old man’s
We Need Diverse Books Indiegogo Fundraising Campaign
On October 26, 2014 In News
I’m kind of awkward on camera. At least on the inside. (I was in a play once in college — I wrote it and the main actor bailed at the last minute and I was the only other person who knew the lines — and the whole time I was on stage I kept