Matt De La Pena Summary Quotes Shy, a high school student, it was “Maybe works on a summer cruise ship because...took after his to help his family with the bills. mom that way (71).” His life is turned upside down when a catastrophic This quote is significant earthquake hits his home state because it shows Shy’s of California and subsequent constant concern and worry tsunami waves destroy the ship about those he loves in this he is on leaving him lost at sea novel as well as his struggle to hoping to survive. In the stay strong in the face of aftermath of the natural tragedy. disasters a mysterious illness is sweeping across the nation to his feet...he “He rose affecting and Matt de la Peña is the New Shy’s family was lost before he York Times Bestselling, threatening to destroy the landed (128).” Newbery Medal-winning human population. Shy does This quote is significant author of six young adult everything he can to survive in because it taps into the theme novels (including Mexican order to help his family survive of humanity and sameness and WhiteBoy, We Were Here, too. and The Living) and four shows that when faced with picture books (including Love catastrophe people become and Last Stop on Market equal and human all the same. Street). In 2016 he was awarded the NCTE of “The coasts Intellectual Freedom Award. California...lives probably Matt received his MFA in Why Should Teens read this depended on it creative writing from San (306).” book? Diego State University and This quote is significant his BA from the University of because it represents the This book would be good for the Pacific where he struggle for life and humanity someone who loves attended school on a full apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic, that the characters in the novel basketball scholarship. de la epidemic or survival stories. are faced with as the future of Peña currently lives in The novel would appeal to the world lies in their hands. Brooklyn NY. He teaches those who like adventure and creative writing and visits action and those who also high schools and colleges enjoy a good love story. Teens throughout the country. should read this book because it depicts unlikely events that allow the reader to experience How I Would Teach The something new through the Analysis of Text Complexity Living eyes and language of the
Matt De La Pena Matt de la Peña is the New York Times Bestselling, Newbery Medal-winning author of six young adult novels (including Mexican WhiteBoy, We Were Here, and The Living) and four picture books (including Love and Last Stop on Market Street). In 2016 he was awarded the NCTE Intellectual Freedom Award. 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 basketball scholarship. de la Peña currently lives in Brooklyn NY. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country. How I Would Teach The Living Summary Shy, a high school student, works on a summer cruise ship to help his family with the bills. His life is turned upside down when a catastrophic earthquake hits his home state of California and subsequent tsunami waves destroy the ship he is on leaving him lost at sea hoping to survive. In the aftermath of the natural disasters a mysterious illness is sweeping across the nation affecting Shy’s family and threatening to destroy the human population. Shy does everything he can to survive in order to help his family survive too. Why Should Teens read this book? This book would be good for someone who loves apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic, epidemic or survival stories. The novel would appeal to those who like adventure and action and those who also enjoy a good love story. Teens should read this book because it depicts unlikely events that allow the reader to experience something new through the eyes and language of the Quotes “Maybe it was because...took after his mom that way (71).” This quote is significant because it shows Shy’s constant concern and worry about those he loves in this novel as well as his struggle to stay strong in the face of tragedy. “He rose to his feet...he was lost before he landed (128).” This quote is significant because it taps into the theme of humanity and sameness and shows that when faced with catastrophe people become equal and human all the same. “The coasts of California...lives probably depended on it (306).” This quote is significant because it represents the struggle for life and humanity that the characters in the novel are faced with as the future of the world lies in their hands. Analysis of Text Complexity