For teens

Festival Staff / February 15, 2010

Interested in science? Scroll down to download the schedule for the Ventana Science Pavilion. The Pavilion will be filled with various activities and demonstrations. Fun for all ages!

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Teen Authors

Matt de la Pena

Matt de la Pena grew up near San Diego, CA. Matt’s first novel, "Ball Don’t Lie," was published by Delacorte in September of 2005. Matt’s own life of the struggle of growing up as a half Mexican/half white kid is portrayed in this novel. The book will soon (June 5?) be a major motion picture starring Ludacriss, Nick Cannon, Emelie de Ravin, Grayson Boucher, and Rosanna Arquette (Night and Day Pictures). Here is a link to the movie trailer

Matt’s next two novels, "Mexican Whiteboy" and "We Were Here," were also published by Delacorte. He has also published short fiction in various literary journals, including: Pacific Review, The Vincent Brothers Review, Two Girl’s Review, George Mason Review, and Allegheny Literary Review.

The characters in Matt’s novels feature gritty young men trying to figure out who they are in the urban world around them. The blending of sports, mixed race issues, and self-discovery make these books especially engaging to male teen readers.

Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific, where he attended school on a full athletic scholarship for basketball. He currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, where he teaches creative writing.

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Janette Rallison
•"Just One Wish" is a comic, heartfelt story of a girl trying to help her brother, who has cancer, by trying to get his favorite TV star (with whom she falls in love) to visit him.
•"My Fair Godmother" is a tale of sibling rivalry and romance.
•Also writes under the pseudonym Sierra St. James.
•Janette resides in Chandler, Arizona.

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Robin Brande

•"Fat Cat"

Media
	Tucson Festival of Books Author and Illustrator School Visits Updated 6 months ago
	Tucson Festival of Books and Young Writer’s Competition Updated 6 months ago
	Ventana Science Pavilion Schedule Updated 6 months ago