Matt de la Pe�±a 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 two picture books (A Nations Hope and Last Stop on Market Street). 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. de la Pe�±a currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with his family. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country.