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....

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....

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....

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....

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....

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....