Gary Soto Book order

The poet writes, "The Monday when Daylight Savings, 2021, kicked in, I was left in the dark. The morning light appeared in our eastern window, then was gone by the time I finished washing the lunchtime dishes. The daytime was downright stingy in offering sunlight's optimism. A few days later, while I was on my couch with an Afghan around my legs, I sat up from my ten-minute nap, struck by a bright idea. I would write a hundred poems in a hundred days-why not? I pictured myself licking the end of a pencil to get them written in sort of a captain's log-do it longhand, I told myself. I woke before sunrise, wrote, revised, and got a poem done by lunchtime. Ambitious me. In truth this Hundred Poems Project was absurd. I knew-other poet friends knew-that more than half would end up the fireplace if not the angry teeth of our paper shredder. For me, that was a given. The act of writing mattered-keep it going, I told myself, be like a beaver and chew on a pencil, put down some lines, don't forsake this craft! This private project of mine was a reminder to myself that after five decades I remain a poet, a calling few can claim. I provide forty-eight of the one hundred poems written that fall. I like to think of this period as my downtime on the couch. The writing was anything but restful."

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. Thirteen-year-old Jordan Mendoza has a huge crush on his classmate, Sierra, but he's never going to win her affections if he stays a C student and keeps embarrassing himself on the basketball court. And it doesn't help that his best friend, Antonio, likes to tease him about it all a little too much. But when Jordan dives into the waters of a dangerous irrigation canal to save a drowning puppy, he's suddenly got even more on his mind than kissing Sierra and making the starting team. Can he nurse the abandoned puppy back to health (and will his parents let him keep her) Who threw her into the canal--and is it possible that there are more puppies needing rescue And why are the cops suddenly at Jordan's door, looking for him There's something for every reader in this story's mix of humor, sports, themes of thrilling independence, subtle strands of magical realism, and timely social commentary, all held together by a sweet and satisfying emotional core.

As Touya's party grows, intense battles and all sorts of intrigue await,but at the end of the day, it's all about having a fun journey across amagical land! Don't miss the latest volume of In Another World With MySmartphone!

Gabe, whose father abandoned him and his mother, is confused when a homeless man claims to be his father

A timely new edition of a pioneering work in Latino literature, National Book Award nominee Gary Soto's first collection (originally published in 1977) draws on California's fertile San Joaquin Valley, the people, the place, and the hard agricultural work done there by immigrants. In these poems, joy and anger, violence and hope are placed in both the metaphorical and very real circumstances of the Valley. Rooted in personal experiences—of the poet as a young man, his friends, family, and neighbors—the poems are spare but expansive, with Soto's voice as important as ever. This welcome new edition has been expanded with a crucial selection of complementary poems (some previously unpublished) and a new introduction by the author.

In this classic one-act romance, love blossoms between two young people, igniting a passionate connection that defies the disapproval of the young woman's gruff father. He views her suitor as a mere penniless lad unworthy of his daughter. However, the mother recognizes the echoes of her own past in the young man, recalling her husband's humble beginnings as an empty-handed suitor. This tension between generational perspectives on love and worth creates a poignant exploration of romance and familial bonds.

In his engaging new collection, National Book Award finalist Gary Soto creates poems that each begin with a line from Shakespeare and then continue in Soto's fresh and accessible verse.

Focusing on themes of aging and the loss of dignity, this collection reflects Gary Soto's perspective as he navigates life as an older man. His poetry combines humor and poignancy, showcasing a snarky personality that adds depth to his observations. Through a blend of wit and sincerity, Soto captures the bittersweet realities of growing older, making the work both relatable and insightful.

Drawing from his own experiences in California's Central Valley, Gary Soto's vivid poetry captures the joys and sorrows of youth, particularly through the lens of Latino characters. His relatable themes resonate across diverse audiences. This revised edition of A Fire in My Hands, originally published in 1998, includes both classic and new poems, ensuring it appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers. Notably, "Oranges" is recognized as a Common Core State Standards Exemplar for middle school poetry.

The story follows Ronnie, who feels awkward and out of place on his thirteenth birthday. As he navigates the challenges of adolescence, he finds himself in a predicament when his best friend, Joey, embarrasses himself in front of a girl and climbs a tree in distress. Determined to help, Ronnie attempts to win the girl’s affection for Joey. Gary Soto crafts a humorous and heartfelt narrative that explores themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and the struggles of growing up.