Mexican Whiteboy

Publisher Marketing: [A] first-rate exploration of self-identity. "School Library Journal" Danny s tall and skinny. Even though he s not built, his arms are long enough to give his pitch a power so fierce any college scout would sign him on the spot. Ninety-five-mile-an-hour fastball, but the boy s not even on a team. Every time he gets up on the mound, he loses it. Ball ends up so far out of the strike zone it s laughable. But at his private school, they don t expect much else from him. Danny s brown. Half-Mexican brown. And growing up in San Diego, that close to the border, means everyone knows exactly who he is before he even opens his mouth. Before they find out he can t speak Spanish, and before they realize his mom has blond hair and blue eyes, they ve got him pegged. But it works the other way too. And Danny s convinced it s his whiteness that sent his father back to Mexico. That s why he s spending the summer with his dad s family. Only, to find himself, he may just have to face the demons he refuses to see the demons that are right in front of his face. And open up to a friendship he never saw coming. Set in the alleys and on the ball fields of San Diego County, "Mexican WhiteBoy" is a story of friendship, acceptance, and the struggle to find your identity in a world of definitions." Review Citations: Kirkus Review - Children 07/15/2008 pg. 748 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) Booklist 08/01/2008 pg. 60 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) School Library Journal 09/01/2008 pg. 177 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2008 pg. 581 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) Voice of Youth Advocates 10/01/2008 pg. 332 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2008 pg. 68 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2008 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2009 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2009 pg. 91 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) Wilson Middle/Junior Hi Catalo 01/01/2009 pg. 817 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2011 pg. 915 (EAN 9780385903295, Library Binding) Kirkus Review - Children 07/15/2008 pg. 748 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) Booklist 08/01/2008 pg. 60 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) School Library Journal 09/01/2008 pg. 177 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2008 pg. 581 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) Multicultural Review 09/01/2008 pg. 82 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) Voice of Youth Advocates 10/01/2008 pg. 332 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2008 pg. 68 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2008 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2009 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2009 pg. 91 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) ALA Best Books Young Adults 03/15/2009 pg. 16 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) - *Starred Review Wilson Middle/Junior Hi Catalo 01/01/2009 pg. 817 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) Wilson Senior High Core Col 01/01/2011 pg. 915 (EAN 9780385733106, Hardcover) School Library Journal 01/01/2014 pg. 61 (EAN 9781480524545, Compact Disc) - *Starred Review Contributor Bio:  De La Pena, Matt Mexican WhiteBoy is Matt de la Pena s second novel for young readers. It was an ALA-YALSA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults, a Notable Book for a Global Society, and a Junior Library Guild Selection. His first novel, Ball Don t Lie, was an ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults and an ALA-YALSA Quick Pick for Young Adults and was made into a major motion picture. He attended the University of the Pacific on a basketball scholarship and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at San Diego State University. De la Pena lives in Brooklyn, New York, where he teaches creative writing. Look for Matt de la Pena s third novel, We Were Here, and fourth novel, I Will Save You, both available from Delacorte Press. Contributor Bio:  Leyva, Henry Henry Leyva's audiobook credits include reading Colin Harrison's "The Havana Room", Michael Palmer's "Fatal", Lawrence Block's "Killing Castro", and John Grisham's "The Testament "as well as works from popular authors such as Nicholas Sparks and Phyllis Naylor. Leyva has appeared in numerous stage and screen productions. His film and television work includes roles on "One Life to Live, Romancing America, The Digital Cafe, The Interrogation", and "The Windigo". He has also performed in a host of off-Broadway productions, including "In the Heights, Love Suicide", and "Guanabaco". He has also performed in voiceovers for commercials, including those for HSBC, Claritin, and the Daily News. He lives in New York City.