Gary Soto

    Gary Soto is the author of many wonderful children, young adult and adult books.  Gary Soto writes about nature, personal dreams and Mexican-Americans.  He grew up in Fresno, California.  When he was a young child he wanted to be a priest, a hobo and a paleontologist.  He had no idea that one day he would be a great author.  When he went to college he got a degree in English.  He went to California State University.  He was also a professor at the University of California.
    Gary Soto has been writing since college.  At the age of 25 he published a poetry collection
‘’The Elements of San Joaquin” which won the 1976 U.S Award of the International Poetry Forum.  His poems have appeared in many magazines. In addition to being a great author, Gary Soto is a member of the Royal Chicano Navy and edits the Chicano chap book series.  He also produced the film “The Pool Party”.
 Here are a few interesting awards he has won for his books.  He is one of the five honorees for the Hispanic Heritage Award of 1999.  In 1995 Gary Soto was a finalist for The Los Angeles Times Book Award.  The book " Living Up The Street" won the American Book Award.