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Biography

From picture books to novels to nonfiction, Pam Muñoz Ryan writes a wide variety of books for young readers. Drawing from her diverse cultural background, Muñoz Ryan often writes about the Latino experience in the United States. Many of her books feature courageous female protagonists who defy the societal conventions of their time. When Marian Sang is a beautifully illustrated picture book that chronicles the life of African American singer Marian Anderson. Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride recreates the night that Amelia Earhart took Eleanor Roosevelt for a flight over Washington, D.C. And Esperanza Rising is an award-winning novel that Muñoz Ryan based on her own grandmother's immigration from Mexico to California.

Pam Muñoz Ryan was born in Bakersfield, California, in 1951. With half of her family from Mexico and the other half from Oklahoma, Muñoz Ryan jokes that she grew up eating enchiladas one weekend and fried chicken the next. She was the oldest of 23 grandchildren on her mother's side.

Pam Muñoz Ryan studied child development at San Diego State University before working as a bilingual Head Start teacher, full-time mom, and early childhood program administrator. After earning a graduate degree in education, Muñoz Ryan began her new career as a writer. At first, she wrote books about child development for adults. Soon though, she started writing books for children. After publishing a number of picture books, Muñoz Ryan discovered that she was a talented novelist as well. Esperanza Rising, perhaps her most well known novel, won the Pura Belprí Medal in 2000.

Today Pam Muñoz Ryan writes full time and lives with her husband just north of San Diego.

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A video interview with Pam Muñoz Ryan | Reading Rockets

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Pam Muñoz Ryan writes stories that often feature strong female protagonists. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Pam Muñoz Ryan discusses her stories and winning the 2000 Pura Belpré Medal for Esperanza Rising. You can watch the interview below, view the interview transcript, read a short biography of Pam Muñoz Ryan, or see a selected list of her children's books.

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For this task you will have to be creative! First, choose one of the follow activities: Google Slide Show, a Padlet, a Glog (interactive poster) or a Prezi. You will be creating a presentation of your choice on Pam Munoz Ryan. Go back our classroom Padlet and review the links provided to get ideas on what type of information and art you would like to include as well. Think about the books you have read and the art that Mrs. Ryan includes in her books. If there is a favorite character or type of art you like from her books you may want to incorporate in your project. If you wish to include a picture of Mrs. Ryan you may do so.

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Think back to the works you’ve studied and read. Identify one book to write Pam Munoz Ryan a letter about. Your letter should be at least two paragraphs long (5-7 sentences each) and include information about why you liked the book, information about connections you made with the work, and any additional information commending her on her style of writing.

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For this task you will need to choose your favorite book written by the author. You will need to write why it is your favorite book and talk about specific parts or characters from the book that you enjoyed. This review should be at least two paragraphs long (5-7 sentences each) and clearly explain why you chose this book as your favorite. Don't forget to check your spelling and punctuation. Also, make sure you share your writing with your review partner in order to get feedback on your paper.

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Look at the list of author works listed on the classroom Padlet. Identify 5 books from the list that you have read, would like to read, or that seem interesting to you. Write a summary for each book and add a picture of each book. This will be used for your overall Author Study project.

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For this task, you will research and learn about the life of the author, Pam Muñoz Ryan as well as Mexican culture. You will access the classroom padlet and look through the links provided to gather information. Take notes as you research the author and her culture. You will write at least three paragraphs (5-7 sentences each) about the author and her culture. You should write about where the author was born, where she grew up, where she went to school, when she started writing, and any other information someone who does not know about the author would like to know. Additionally, you must research Hispanic, specifically, Mexican culture as Muñoz Ryan is a Mexican American writer. It may be helpful to write two paragraphs about Muñoz Ryan and one paragraph about Mexican culture. This information will be later applied to the overall Author Study project

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Grade Level: Grade 6
Time line: One marking period / 9 weeks

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Much to his father's disappointment, Neftalí is not like other children. Frail and painfully shy, he spends most of his time alone: collecting treasures, reading, writing, and daydreaming — pastimes his authoritarian father thinks are for fools. Neftalí finds beauty and wonder everywhere: in the oily colors of mud puddles; a lost glove, sailing on the wind; the music of birds and language. The natural world and his native Chile and the painful injustices Neftalí witnesses there move him equally. While his father plans to build him into a robust doctor, Neftalí has other longings. Against all odds, Neftalí prevails against his father's cruelty and his own crippling shyness to become one of the most widely read poets in the world, Pablo Neruda. How Neftalí reconciles his own dreams with his father's is at the heart of this inspiring, radiant, and profoundly moving story of self-discovery. ~ Scholastic

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When Naomi's absent mother resurfaces to claim her, Naomi runs away to Oaxaca, Mexico with her great-grandmother and younger brother in search of her father. ~ Goodreads.com

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Esperanza thought she'd always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico--she'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. Esperanza isn't ready for the hard labor, financial struggles, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances--Mama's life, and her own, depend on it. ~ Goodreads.com

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Pam Muñoz Ryan creates culturally sensitive books that can be used in a any classroom, especially a classroom that fosters and invites the use of multicultural literature. As a Mexican-American, Muñoz Ryan often writes about characters who are Hispanic.  In a middle school classroom, her books offer students the opportunity to learn about race, similarities, differences, discrimination, and culture.. Not only are her books relatable to students in the classroom, but they can also serve as avenues build good self-esteem, to build confidence, teach tolerance, enhance knowledge of others, and can lead to making connections. For this unit study, three middle school level novels of Muñoz Ryan were selected for a close study. All three novels have a similar theme that connects the works together and therefore makes a coherent unit of study.

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Pam Muñoz Ryan Books, Author Biography, and Reading Level | Scholastic

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Visit Scholastic, the world's largest children's book publisher. Whether you need a classic kids book or classroom-proven teaching materials, discover it at Scholastic.

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1994 - One Hundred is a Family
1996 - The Crayon Counting Book; The Flag We Love
1997 - A Pinky is a Baby Mouse; Armadillos Sleep in Dugouts: And Other Places Animals Live; California, Aqui Vamos!/California Here We Come!
1998 - Doug Counts Down; Riding Freedom
1999 - Funnie Family Vacation; Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride
2000 -  Esperanza Rising
2001 - Hello Ocean; Mice and Beans
2002 - Mud is Cake; When Marian Sang
2003 - How Do You Raise a Raisin; A Box of Friends
2004 - Ryan Becoming Naomi Leon
2005 - Nacho and Lolita; There Was No Snow on Christmas Eve
2007 - Paint the Wind
2008 - Our California
2010 - The Dreamer; Cornelia and the Show-and Tell Showdown
2011 - Tony Baloney
2012 - Tony Baloney: School Rules
2014 - Tony Baloney: Buddy Trouble; Tony Baloney: Pen Pal
2015 - Echo

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Pam Muñoz Ryan was born on December 25, 1951 in Bakersfield, California. She was raised in Bakersfield by her mother and father who are Mexican and Caucasian, respectively. Originally, she went to college and became a teacher. She later taught as a bilingual teacher and then went on to become a director of an early childhood center. She knew she loved books but never thought of writing them. It was not until she graduated college and the persuasion of a professor that she began to write books. She has written over twenty five books and writes books for adults, picture books for children, and novels for older children. She is a Newbery Honor winner and New York Times bestseller. Additionally, she is the recipient of the Kirkus Prize, the NEA’s Human and Civil Rights Award, and the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award for multicultural literature.  Today, Pam resides in San Diego, California with her family.