Matt de la Pena is an author who can really relate to many of our high school students.  Growing up as a poor, biracial student, he knew if he would go to college, he would have to get a scholarship.  There were three things he thought he did very well:  playing basketball, playing the guitar, and writing poetry. 

Although he was able to get a scholarship to a small university, his basketball skills were no match to players like Steve Nash and others.  His next love was music, but he was too shy to perform to his girlfriend, much less an audience. 

With only one thing left that he was good at and liked to do, de la Pena turned to writing poetry.  He wrote and he wrote and he wrote.  Soon his poetry turned into short stories, and his short stories turned into novels.  The rest, as they say, is history.

His first published novel, Ball Don't Lie, was not only named a "Best Book for Young Adults" by the American Library Association, it is now becoming a movie.  He has also released a second novel, Mexican WhiteBoy, and a short story, Last Red Light Before We're There.

In his recent visits to the high schools, his story really hit home to many of the students-coming from a background of poverty, biracial family, and a reluctant reader, students realized they had a connection and it gave the students hope that they too could achieve their dreams.  One student wrote, "The advice and feeling of caring he shared with us made me feel better and made me more insightful into my poetry and story writing.  So his visit inspired me to make something of my writing, making me proud to call myself a poet."

Beth Duffy, Library Media Specialist at Putnam City High School, wrote, "How many of our students have dreams just like Matt's?  How many of those dreams will be unfulfilled just like Matt's?  How many will realize that effort and perseverance (Matt's first book, Ball Don't Lie, went through 104 drafts) will bring results and rewards?  I think many of our students relate with Matt, economically and academically.  I think they took away a feeling of pride for where they are and hope for where they can go."