Gary Soto

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

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....

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....

Everyone is coming for Christmas dinner at Maria's house. She and her mother prepare by kneading the "masa" to make tamales....

In these 11 stories, Gary Soto scores again....

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

Chato decides to throw a birthday party - a 'pachanga' - for his best friend....

This endearing story stars Maria, a young girl who is now old enough to help her mother make the traditional Christmas tamales....

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

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....

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....

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

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....

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

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....

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....

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....

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.