Matt de la Peña

Matt de la Peña is an award-winning author of numerous books for young adults and children. In this interview with Colorín Colorado, Matt talks about the community where he grew up, his conversations with young people about reading and writing, and how he continues to reflect on his own identity and experiences through his books.

He also talks about his experiences writing books such as Last Stop on Market Street, Milo Imagines the World, Carmela Full of Wishes, Love, Ball Don't Lie, We Were Here, and Superman: Dawnbreaker.

Books by This Author

Superman: Dawnbreaker

Superman: Dawnbreaker
Age Level: Young Adult

Clark Kent has always been faster, stronger, better than everyone around him. He knows drawing attention to himself could be dangerous, but lately it’s difficult to stay in the shadows. And he’s not the only one with something to hide. When Clark follows the sound of a girl crying, he comes across Gloria Alvarez and learns that people have been disappearing. With his best friend, Lana Lang, at his side, Clark is determined to discover what evil lies below the surface of their town. Before he can save the world, the future Man of Steel must save Smallville.

The Hunted

The Hunted
Age Level: Young Adult

When Shy pulled himself from the wreckage of the Paradise Cruise luxury liner, he met Addie, who told him a secret she never should have revealed. It’s a secret that people would kill fo r— have killed for — and she has the piece that could turn everything on its ear. The problem? Shy has no idea where Addie is. Back home in California seems logical, but there are more ways to die back home than Shy could ever have guessed. And thanks to what Shy knows now, he’s a moving target.

The Living

The Living
Age Level: Young Adult
Language: English, Spanish vocabulary featured

Shy takes the summer job to make some money.  But then, an earthquake more massive than any ever recorded hits California and Shy's life is changed forever. The earthquake is only the beginning. Twenty-four hours and a catastrophic chain of events later, Shy is lost at sea, fighting to survive — and stuck with her.
 

We Were Here

Age Level: Young Adult

Product Description: When it happened, Miguel was sent to Juvi. The judge gave him a year in a group home — said he had to write in a journal so some counselor could try to figure out how he thinks. But Miguel didn't bet on meeting Rondell or Mong or on any of what happened after they broke out. He only thought about Mexico and getting to the border to where he could start over. 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.

Pages

Anthologies and Collections

Because of Shoe and Other Dog Stories

Because of Shoe and Other Dog Stories
Age Level: Middle Grade

For young readers who have ever wanted, known or loved a dog, the short stories in this anthology evoke the full spectrum of endearing doggy traits! With stories ordered from easiest to most difficult to read, Because of Shoe and Other Dog Stories is a book for young readers of varying levels to enjoy.

Flying Lessons & Other Stories

Flying Lessons & Other Stories
Age Level: Middle Grade

Whether it is basketball dreams, family fiascos, first crushes, or new neighborhoods, this bold anthology—written by the best children’s authors and published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) — celebrates the uniqueness and universality in all of us. For more great stories, see the WNDB anthology Fresh Ink.