A number of well-known Mexican-American authors of children's literature have acknowledged a debt to Steinbeck. This afternoon symposium features authors' discussions of the nature of Steinbeck's influence on their writing.

Moderator: PHILLIP SERRATO, Assistant Professor, SDSU

Featuring: Pam Munoz Ryan, a resident of San Diego county, has written over 25 books for young people, including the award-winning novels Esperanza Rising and Becoming Naomi León, and the award-winning picture books Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride.

Chicano poet and educator Francisco X. Alarcon is the author of several award-wining books of bilingual poetry for children, including Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems, From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems, Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems, and Angeles Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems. He currently teaches at UC Davis, where he directs the Spanish for Native Speakers Program.

Hernán Moreno-Hinojosa is the author of Candelaria's Sorrow and The Ghostly Rider and Other Chilling Tales, both of which are based on the ghost stories he heard while growing up in south Texas.

DATE & TIME: April 25, 4:30 - 6:30 pm
LOCATION: Gateway Center 1504