Author of the Month:
Matt de la Pena
Matt de la Peña is the author of five critically-acclaimed young adult
novels: Ball Don’t Lie, Mexican WhiteBoy, We Were Here, I Will Save You
and The Living. He’s also the author of the award-winning picture book A
Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis (illustrated by
Kadir Nelson). Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego
State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific where he
attended school on a full basketball scholarship. de la Peña currently
lives in Brooklyn NY. He teaches creative writing and visits high
schools and colleges throughout the country.
Sticky is a beat-around-the-head foster kid with nowhere to call home
but the street, and an outer shell so tough that no one will take him
in. He started out life so far behind the pack that the finish line
seems nearly unreachable. He’s a white boy living and playing in a world
where he doesn’t seem to belong.
But Sticky can ball. And basketball might just be his ticket out . . .
if he can only realize that he doesn’t have to be the person everyone
else expects him to be.
A breakout urban masterpiece by newcomer Matt de la Peña, Ball Don’t
Lie takes place where the street and the court meet and where a boy can
be anything if he puts his mind to it.
Danny’s tall and skinny.
Even though he’s not built, his arms are long enough to give his
pitch a power so fierce any college scout would sign him on the spot. A
95 mph fastball, but the boy’s not even on a team. Every time he gets up
on the mound he loses it.
But at private school, they don’t expect much else from him. Danny’s
brown. Half-Mexican brown. And growing up in San Diego that close to the
border means everyone else knows exactly who he is before he even opens
his mouth. Before they find out he can’t speak Spanish, and before they
realize his mom has blonde hair and blue eyes, they’ve got him pegged.
Danny’s convinced it’s his whiteness that sent his father back to
Mexico. And that’s why he’s spending the summer with his dad’s family.
Only, to find himself, he might just have to face the demons he refuses
to see right in front oh his face. And open up to a friendship he never
saw coming.
The story of one boy and his journey to find himself.
When it happened, Miguel was sent to Juvi. The judge gave him a year
in a group home – said he had to write a journal so some counselor could
try to figure out how he thinks. The judge had no idea that he actually
did Miguel a favor. Ever since it happened, his mom can’t even look him
in the face. Any home besides his would be a better place to live.
But Miguel didn’t bet on meeting Dondell or Mong or any of what
happened after they broke out. He only thought about Mexico and and
getting to the border where he could start over. Forget his mom. Forget
his brother. Forget himself.
Life usually doesn’t work out how you think it will, though. And most
of the time, running away is the quickest path right back to what
you’re running from.
From the streets of Stockton to the beaches of Venice, all the way
down to the Mexican border, We Were Here follows a journey of
self-discovery by a boy who is trying to forgive himself in an
unforgiving world.
Kidd is running from his past and his future. No mom, no dad, and
there’s nothing for him at the group home but therapy. He doesn’t belong
at the beach where he works either, unless he finds a reason to stay.
Olivia is blond hair, blue eyes, rich dad. The prettiest girl in
Cardiff. She’s hiding something from Kidd—but could they ever be
together anyway?
Devon is mean, mysterious, and driven by a death wish. A best friend
and worst enemy. He followed Kidd all the way to the beach and he’s not
leaving until he teaches him a few lessons about life. And Olivia.
Sera has a secret.
She’s seen the future, and it is terrifying. Unfortunately, she can’t
do anything to prevent the Cataclysm while stranded with Dak and Riq
thousands of years in the past. Their only hope lies with the ancient
Maya, a mysterious people who claim to know a great deal about the
future. Is there more to these ancients than meets the eye?
Each book comes packaged with a full-color, two-sided, collectible
Hystorian’s Guide, a player’s strategy guide to the online adventure.
Follow the map, study the Guide, and save history!
Come in & check out our Matt de la Pena collection & other books similar!
