TheHappyNappyBookseller: Search results for matt de la pena

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Sunday, February 15, 2009

Mexican WhiteBoy Matt de la Pena

Mexican WhiteBoy by Matt de la Pena This book was deceptively good.
Diversity Rocks. When I got close to the end, I couldn't help but put the pieces together again and truly appreciate Matt de la Pena's writing and the story he told. 16yr old Danny lives in San Diego with his mother and younger sister, Julia. Danny feels like an outcast because his dad's Mexican and his mother White. When Danny's dad left the family, Danny shut down emotionally and only speaks when he must. He also begins to dig his fingernails into his arm, so much so that he has scars. The only thing he enjoys is pitching. Danny is spending the summer in National City with his dad's family. In National City Danny still feels like he doesn't fit in only this time he's a few shades too light. He'll being staying with his aunt and uncle and hanging with his 17yr old cousin Sofia. Danny hopes to get closer to his Mexican roots and maybe it will bring his father back. On his first day in National City Danny meets Uno the only other half Mexican, Uno's father is Black. Danny and Uno's first meeting ends in blood and stitches but the two become very good friends. In the beginning of the summer Danny practices his pitching alone until Uno becomes his catcher. Uno convinces Danny the two should challenge the best hitters on every team for cash. Danny is no ordinary pitcher, he's a born talent. So it should be easy money but Danny can't find the strike zone. He had the same problem trying out for his high school team. In practice everything was great but against hitters Danny can't find the strike zone. Uno tells Danny to stop thinking so hard, and getting in the way of his talent. Danny has a lot going on in his head like his dad, will he ever come back?, why he left?, or memories he can't remember and there's still more. Once Danny stops letting everything weigh his mind down, he and Uno run through the best hitters in town. Danny's magic on the mound. Uno knows Danny's bound for greatness, he's simply happy to have known him before. Baseball is a small part of this book. Its more so about Danny coming to terms with who he is and who is dad was. In Danny's actions and few chosen words, I could see how much he missed having his dad around. Throughout the book Danny writes his dad letters about what's going on in this life in hopes that maybe one will make him come back. Everything Danny writes is a colorful untruth, instead of running a summer hustle with Uno, Danny's an ace for a traveling team. It isn't until the end that Danny learns the truth and there is no way his dad can come back. The author spends a fair amount of time on Uno as well. For a while the chapters alternate better the two characters. This is one of those books a few days afters you've finished it you've realize how good it really is. Mexican WhiteBoy was chosen as a 2009 top ten best books for Young Adults by YALSA.

The YA YA YAs review

Sunday, October 11, 2009

We Were Here Matt De La Pena

We Were Here by Matt De La Pena - I loved Pena's last novel Mexican White Boy and I was really looking forward to reading We Were Here. Miguel has done something that landed him in juvie. The judge sentences Miguel to a year at a group home and mandatory journal writing. The group home Miguel is assigned to known as the Lighthouse and is run by Jaden, a laid back surfer type. I liked Jaden, he tried hard and seemed to really care. There six other guys staying at the group home. When Miguel meets everyone he gets into a fight with Mong. Mong is a skinny Chinese kid everyone avoids. Mong would happily fight to kill. After that incident Miguel keeps to himself. He doesn't have a roommate and spends his time reading the few books in the library. A few weeks after Miguel arrival at the Lighthouse, he gets a roommate, Rondell. Rondell is Black, slow and big. Miguel found out Rondell was illiterate when the two shared a cell at juvie.

"He swiped my journal off the table and stared at the page I was writing, his kick weighing down on my neck. And I'm not going to lie man, I got a little spooked. Rondell's a freak for a sixteen year old: six foot something with huge ass arms and legs and a face that already looks like a grown man. And I'd just written some pretty bad stuff about him in my journal. But at the same time I almost wanted Rondell to push down harder with his shoe. Almost wanted him to crush my neck, break my windpipe. After a couple minutes like that Rondell staring at the page I'd been writing and me pinned to the nasty cement floor - he tossed the journal back on the table and took his foot off my neck. And that's how I knew he couldn't read"(from arc)

Rondell called Miguel, Mexico at juvie and he contiunes to do so at Lighthouse. Miguel, Mong and Rondell are not friends though they end up running away from the group home together. Pena did a good job of bringing the three together. It didn't seem strange at all that Miguel would hit the road with a boy who spit in his face or one who had his shoe on his neck.

Before leaving, Miguel takes the petty cash and their case files. Mong says he knows someone in Mexico. The three head there to start over. There isn't much conversation, the three are strangers and did just escape from a group home after all. Yet somehow there is a sort of ease with which the three relate at times. I enjoyed the quiet moments like when they were ate in a comfortable silence. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Miguel and Mong, have there first real conversation. Mong is always ready and looking to fight. Miguel knows to keep his guard up for crazed Mong. With that conversation the reader is allowed to see another side of Mong and better understand his willingness to fight.

I kept waiting to see more of Rondell but didn't. Rondell was too one dimensional for my liking. He was a big, illiterate who pretended to read the bible. He thought the bible would keep him from losing his temper. Rondell has the strength to beat someone to death, and he lacks the ability to stop. I didn't mind that Rondell was slow or that he couldn't read, what bothered me was the fact that the author never expended on this character, like he did with Miguel and Mong. The only other thing we learn about Rondell is that he excels at basketball. When the three play in a pick up game, Rondell takes over the court. One night Miguel sneaks away from the others and reads their files. After hearing Mong's history I begin to understand him better. Hearing Rondell's history left me frustrated. When I realized Rondell being a natural basketball player was the only extra we were going to get on this character, I was not happy. I didn't care for how dependent Rondell was on Miguel. At no point in this journey was Rondell his own man. Even on the court, instead of taking the game winning shot, Rondell passes it to Miguel. Rondell kept me from enjoying We Were Here as much as I would've liked. but I did like it.

I thought the author did a great job with Miguel's voice. Even on the run, Miguel continues to write in his journal. Miguel writes about everything from his life at home with his mother and brother to running away with Mong and Rondell.

Monday, March 28, 2011

A Nation's Hope: The Story of boxing Legend Joe Louis

A Nation's Hope: the story of boxing legend Joe Louis by Matt de la Pena, illus by Kadir Nelson

Like everything else in 1930's boxing was segregated.

The world waits for Joe Louis to take the ring,
take center stage
White men wait standing beside Black men, but standing apart
Jim Crow America

In the 1938 rematch against German fighter Max Schmeling, Louis was looked upon as a nation's hope because of the impending war. This is the fight that de la Pena leads readers to, though first we are introduced to a young Joe Louis.

He didn't speak until he was six,
and when he finally spoke he stammered
and was ridiculed
Words spinning just beyond Joe's grasp,
and with black skin he passed through childhood in the shadows
Yet there was something about his hands, so big and powerful
Nights he'd stare down at those hands and dream

Nelson's image of a young Joe Louis to the right of Pena's text is strong, gorgeous and focused. Nelson easily captures the strength of Louis's hands. It's one of my favorite panels in the book. The same goes for Pena. Author and illustrator were very in sync.

Pena's text has a great rhythm to it, very fitting for a biography on a boxer. Nelson's illustrations are lovely as always. I do wish the author would've included some back information. There isn't even a timeline or author's note.

Though A Nation's Hope is a still nice introduction to Joe Louis, the second Black heavyweight champion. After reading this I wanted to learn more about Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling and that lead me to this, was quickly sucked in and watched all nine parts.

I have Pena and Nelson to thank for my desire to want to know more about Louis. I believe readers of all ages will be moved to do the same.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sunday - A Little of Everything

I got a very nice unexpected gift . Edi sent me an authographed copy of

A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis by Matt de la Pena, illus. by Kadir Nelson. Edi shares some pictures from a recent conference, where she meet a few authors including Matt de la Pena.

On Monday, my Kidlit Celebrates Women's History Month post went up. If you haven't already check it out, Women of Color Make Their Presence Known It turned out really well. I loved my beginning.

Much of the credit goes to organizers Margo Tanenbaum and Lisa Taylor. I am very happy they didn't listen to my suggestion about which covers to show. What they did is so much better. I never would've thought to include the video interview with Paula Yoo. The link to the video, yes. That one extra step could mean the difference of someone buying Shining Star.

Author Esther Friesner's Kidlit Celebrates Women's History Month post - Haunted by History Friesner has an historical fiction novel coming out called Threads and Flames about the 1910 Triangle Fire, which killed over 140 workers thanks to unsafe working conditions. Friday, March 25 was the anniversary of the fire. On Friday morning I read Friesner's Haunted by History

In the evening I read author Zetta Elliott's post about the Triangle Fire Elliott links to the PBS film and I will do the same here . After reading two separate post about the Triangle Fire, I didn't hesitate to watch the film.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

More Latino Authors Please/ necesitamos mas autores Latinos (Updated)

After reading Mayra Lazara Dole's article "Authentic Latino Voices" in the Hunger Mountain Journal.
I felt inspired to write something about the lack of middle grade and young adult Latino authors. I found 14 MG/YA books by Latino authors published this year in the United States. Since I originally posted this I have been informed of two more Latino authors published in 2010. Thanks Edi

1 The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork
2.The Firefly Letters by Margarita Engle
3.The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan
4.Mr. Mendonza's Paintbursh by Luis Alberto Urrea
5 Secret Saturdays by Torrey Maldonado
6 The F Factor by Diane Gonzales Bertrand
7.The Red Umbrella by Christina Gonzalez
8.Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes
9.90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-Galbis
10 Efrain's Secret by Sofia Quintero
11 How Tia Lola Learned to Teach by Julia Alvarez
12 I Will Save You by Matt de la Pena
13 The Good Long Way by Rene Saldana Jr
14.When the Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer

Please take a moment to really think about that,

14 Latino authors

I am willing concede that I may have missed ( I did) or been unaware of a few authors . Even if the number was tripled, that would only make 42, still far from respectable.

16 authors is no where near 42, but hopefully this list will contiunue to grow.

I know this is a silly question, that will only make me angry if I think about it too long. Yet, I still can't help but wonder how this can happen?

In her article Laraza Dole stresses the need for more distinct and diverse stories told by Latino authors.

"Our common Spanish language is a tool that helps Latino kids and teens unite, but they also need to feel proud of their diversity and unique customs. When the media, journal reviewers and publishers list books as “Latino” or “Hispanic,” instead of, let’s say, Cuban-American or Nicaraguan-American, it leads children and teens to believe our culture and celebrations are identical. Once, when an Anglo teen found out I was born in Cuba, she asked me if my family celebrated Cinco de Mayo and El Dia de los Muertos, celebrations that aren’t Cuban."

Quinceanera novels are nice but I can only read so many. I think we are at a point where more diverse stories should be welcomed and encouraged. Though until that acutally happens race based awards like the Pura Belpre will continue to necessary.

Banned Book Week. September 25 - Oct 2 is a very big deal. Much online space is dedicated to it. This year, at the Huffington post there was an article about 15 movies based off of banned books. There was also an article about it at LA Times. . There's so much more. When I see all this it makes me wonder, what if people truly got behind the cause to get more authentic voices in children's literature. What if online media and bloggers spent a week reviewing, talking about and listing books by Latino authors and other underrepresented groups.

Disallowing, a people the ability to tell their own story is a form a censorship. Just because this problem isn't as sexy, popular or easily discussed doesn't mean it should be ignored.

I like my voice well enough but for this I wanted to give a few Latino authors the opportunity to be heard. So I reached out to a few authors, and some were kind enough to answer 3 questions or give a statement. Initially, I had planned to post all the answers as one.

Now I know each response should stand alone, giving everyone the chance to really take them in. I won't reveal which author participated until I post their responses. I will post the first one Wednesday at 9:00am. The next Thursday at 9:00 am, and so on. This should run for about a week. I hope you enjoy and spread the word.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

2011 Titles That Caught My Eye

Here is a list of 2011 titles I am looking forward to. Many of the titles in January have already been released I was a little heavy handed with the cover images but I couldn't help it, there are a lot of great covers.

If the title is italicized the story - features kids or color or has a diverse cast. If such a title is not italicized either I forgot to do it or I didn't know. So please feel free to tell me in the comment box.

All authors and illustrators of color will have an asterisk next to their name.

Before I get to January, here are three YA books that were published at the end of December

Bitter Melon by Cara Chow* - Ari's review
Teenie by Christopher Grant* - My review
Shadow Walker by L.A. Banks* - No review, but check out an excerpt

January
Picture Books

Shoe la la by Karen Beaumont illus. by Leuyen Pham*
A Nation's Hope : The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis by Matt de la Pena* - Kadir Nelson* Giant Steps to Change the World by Spike Lee* and Tonya Lewis* illus. Sean Qualls*
Roots and Blues: A Celebration by Arnold Adoff illus. by R . Gregory Christie*
Before there was Mozart by Lesa Cline Ransome* illus. by James E. Ransome*

Middle Grade