Gary Soto

Growing up Mexican-American in Fresno, California in the 1950’s and 60’s might not have been easy, but it was certainly never boring for young Gary Soto, his brother Rick and sister Debra....

Lincoln is happy to be going to Japan as a martial arts exchange student. So is Tony, his barrio brother from San Francisco....

In this lively collection of short essays, Soto recreates in vivid detail the sights, sounds, smells, and textures he knew growing up in his Fresno, California, neighborhood....

It all starts when Marisa picks up the wrong cell phone. When she returns it to Rene, she feels curiously drawn to him. But Marisa and Rene aren’t exactly a match made in heaven....

After an East Fresno student is murdered, his mind leaves his body....

Eighth-grader Linc Mendoza has moved from a dusty San Francisco barrio to a well-groomed suburb. Suddenly he's in the minority, a Mexican-American in a mostly white school....

Hector and his amigo Mando are looking for adventure as they hit the road on a leisurely bike trip from their East L.A. neighborhood to the beach in Santa Monica. They've just set out when the fun begins, as Hector literally stumbles into a starring role in a TV commercial....

When Hector's mother suggests that he and his amigo Mando get out of East L.A. for the weekend and see some of the world, he's thinking Paris....

An original novella from award-winning children's author and poet Gary Soto....

All Eddie wants is to find a way out of the dangerous life he's living....

To get away from his chaotic, often violent parents, 17-year-old Jesse has moved into an apartment with his brother....

In Petty Crimes, Soto offers 10 stories about the risky situations and dangerous little scams faced by young people growing up on the harsh streets of the city....

Lush and gorgeously written, The Fourteen Sisters of Emilio Montez O'Brien is a masterwork by one of America's greatest writers. Reckoning with cultural assimilation and complex family dynamics, the novel elicits tears and laughter.

A sweetly humorous middle grade novel packed with action, basketball, and a dash of magical realism about friendship and family, first crushes, and belonging, from acclaimed author Gary Soto....