Matt de la Pena
Matt de la Peña
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Matt de la Peña is the full name of this acclaimed American author.
Birth and Death Dates
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Matt de la Peña was born on October 16, 1971. Unfortunately, we could not find any information about his passing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Matt de la Peña is an American author, poet, and songwriter of Puerto Rican descent. He is widely known for his poignant and thought-provoking works that often address issues related to identity, social justice, and the human condition.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Matt de la Peña was surrounded by a diverse community that would later influence his writing. He began writing poetry at the age of 16 and eventually attended the University of California, Irvine, where he earned a BA in English Literature. De la Peña's experiences as a young person struggling to find his place in the world are reflected in much of his work.
Major Accomplishments
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De la Peña's writing career spans over two decades, during which he has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to literature. Some of his most notable achievements include:
Newbery Medal Winner: In 2016, de la Peña won the prestigious Newbery Medal for his novel "Last Stop on Market Street." This award is given annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) to recognize outstanding children's literature.
Young People's Poet Laureate: De la Peña served as the Young People's Poet Laureate from 2017-2019, a position that recognizes and promotes emerging poets who have made significant contributions to the literary world.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Matt de la Pena's most notable works include:
"The Last Stop on Market Street" (2015): This novel tells the story of a young boy named C.J. and his grandmother as they travel through their city, exploring themes of identity, community, and social justice.
"Mexican WhiteBoy" (2008): De la Peña's second novel, "Mexican WhiteBoy," explores issues of identity and belonging through the story of a young baseball player who struggles to reconcile his Mexican heritage with his American upbringing.
Impact and Legacy
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Matt de la Peña's writing has had a profound impact on readers around the world. His ability to capture the complexities of human experience in a way that is both accessible and powerful has made him one of the most celebrated authors of his generation. De la Peña's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in literature has also inspired countless young writers and readers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Matt de la Peña is widely quoted and remembered for his thought-provoking works that address issues related to identity, social justice, and the human condition. His ability to capture the complexities of human experience in a way that is both accessible and powerful has made him one of the most celebrated authors of his generation.
As an author who continues to push boundaries and challenge readers to think critically about their place in the world, Matt de la Peña's legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.
Quotes by Matt de la Pena
I'm ashamed to admit this, but I didn't read a novel all the way through until after high school. Blasphemy, I know. I'm an author now. Books and words are my world.
A surprising number of teens I meet in rougher schools around the country find refuge in novels and creative writing. It's not always the usual suspects either, the high achievers.
Even though I was a reluctant reader in junior high and high school, I found myself writing poems in the back of class.
I used to be so angry about the kids that had stuff. Like the kids that had cars, the kids that had money to go get lunch every day off campus. I used to feel so slighted.
I've always wanted to write about the other side of the tracks, the have-nots, maybe because that's who I was.
When I was young, I grew up in a family of working-class people. Not just my parents, but my extended family, as well.
Once I got into college, I discovered literature - in particular, multicultural literature. I just started to understand the power of story and narrative, and you know, like anyone else, I kind of wanted to do it, too.
I was really drawn to spoken-word style poetry. I loved the rhythms, and for some reason, I was just drawn to this poetry as a way of expressing my feelings, because I didn't have any other outlet.
I think the world sort of looks to the kids who have potential. These are the kids who are going to do something with their lives, who are going to do something for the world. I don't think it's malicious, but the other kids get lost from that point on.
In all of my books, I really want to work with working-class people. My goal is to show the moments of grace and dignity in their lives.