MATT DE LA PEÑA is a New York Times best-selling, Newbery Medal-winning author of six young adult novels: Ball Don’t Lie , Mexican WhiteBoy , We Were Here , I Will Save You , The Living , and The Hunted. He’s also the author of the critically acclaimed picture books A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis (illustrated by Kadir Nelson) and Last Stop on Market Street (illustrated by Christian Robinson). He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country.

DR. SOCORRO HERRERA is a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, at Kansas State University and serves as the executive director of the Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy (CIMA). As an international keynote speaker, district consultant, and trainer of trainers, she has assisted teachers across the country and the globe in charting new paths to academic success for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) learners. Her research focuses on literacy and academic opportunities with CLD students and their families, reading strategies, and teacher preparation for diverse classrooms.