PRESS RELEASE: Walking the Talk: Popular Author Visits the Boys of Unit 7
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—November 5, 2009—On a recent Thursday afternoon, 12 boys sat hushed in rapt attention inside their classroom as the visitor standing before them spun a captivating story about a young basketball player who lives for the game despite the dangers of daily life on the tough streets of Los Angeles.
The speaker was Brooklyn based author, Matt de la Pena, author of "Ball Don't Lie", whose storyline borrows heavily from his own bi-racial upbringing as a young kid raised on the California-Mexico border, where supportive and loving family—and a chance to play ball—made all the difference between good choices versus a tragic ending. Matt's personal life story inspired the captive audience to take ownership of their lives, and to view their situations, poverty, and challenges as opportunities to grow and be free to make the best of their future.
Matt's visit to Unit 7 at San Francisco's Juvenile Justice Center coincided with the Fall Read-A-Thon, so the majority of the young men detained in the Maximum Security Unit had read his book in anticipation of the visit. They were ready with questions about the author's writing inspirations, and even offered criticism about why the book ended like it did: "What happened with the girlfriend? Did he get into college? Dude, what made you want to write this story?" Questions echoing many of their own writing—and life—concerns, shared aloud.
Matt de la Pena's visit is part of City Youth Now's partnership with Book's INC and City Youth Now's commitment to bring visiting authors to the Hall, to inspire dynamic conversations with the boys, and reveal the fact that among our youth are a number of poets and playwrights who are sharing their work with City Youth Now.
About Author Matt de la Pena
Matt de la Pena's debut novel, Ball Don't Lie, was published by Delacorte in September of 2005. The book will soon be a major motion picture. 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. Matt currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, where he teaches creative writing. mattdelapena.com
About City Youth Now:
City Youth Now supports youth in the San Francisco foster care and juvenile justice systems by providing funds for services and programs that promote stability and personal growth. www.cityyouthnow.org
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Press Contact:
Brittany Jarabek
Executive Director
City Youth Now
brittany@cityyouthnow.org
