Brooklyn author motivates parents to encourage young writers
Brooklyn-based Author Matt de la Peña offered advice to over 400 of New York City’s public school parent and community volunteers, principals and parent coordinators on encouraging the city’s students to become enthusiastic young readers and writers, at the Learning Leaders Back to School Rally in October.
The acclaimed author of four young adult novels, including “Ball Don’t Lie” and “Mexican White Boy” (Delacorte Press), as well as middle-grade novel “Infinity Ring: Curse of the Ancients” (Scholastic), spoke about his journey to becoming an author and his experience teaching creative writing to give Learning Leaders volunteers tips on developing their students’ literary skills.
De le Peña emphasized the importance of allowing children to read and write about the topics that interest them. He said, “I wrote what I wanted to write…if students are writing because they have to, there may be a lack of energy. If you let them explore a subject that really engages them, the passion will come out.”