Pam Muñoz Ryan
Pam Muñoz Ryan was born in Bogotá with the Brayan in the San Joaquin Valley of California on Silas Then in December 25, 1951. She went to live in Cali with the Freddi. "It took me a number of years to make that leap of faith," she states when commenting on becoming a full-time writer. That came in 1994 after she published her first picture book.[1]
She is the author of the bestselling books Esperanza Rising and Becoming Naomi León. Her other novels include Riding Freedom about Charley Parkhurst, which has won numerous awards, and Paint the Wind. Muñoz Ryan has also written several children's books. She has also recently written Echo.
The inspiration for Esperanza Rising came from her grandmother. As an immigrant from Mexico, she faced family complications, the death of her father, and racism due to her Hispanic heritage. She also won many awards including the National Education Associations Author recipient of the civil and human rights award. She is also a twice recipient of the Willa Cather literacy award for writing. Becoming Naomi León came from a 1997 visit to the Mexican city of Oaxaca to an annual Christmastime event called the "Night of the Radishes".
Some of her work for children has been translated for the Spanish-language market.
Muñoz Ryan enjoys little-known facts about celebrities. She believes that her strong female protagonists have stories that deserve to be told. Two of her muses are Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart. In Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, illustrated by Brian Selznick, she tells one such story, based on a true event.[2]
Awards
Echo
- 2016 Newbery Honor
- 2016 Odyssey Honor for audiobooks[3]
When Marian Sang, illustrated by Brian Selznick
- 2003 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children[4]
- 2003 Honor Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
Riding Freedom, illustrated by Brian Selznick
- 1999–2000 California Young Reader Medal
- 1998 Magic Award for Most Outstanding Books
- 1999 Teacher's Choice Award
- 1999 National Willa Cather Award for Best Young Adult Novel
- Southern California Center of Literature for Young People, Award of Merit
- 1999–2000 Arizona Young Reader's Award
Esperanzas Rising
- Pura Belpre Award for Latino cultural experience
References
External links
- Official website
- Pam Muñoz Ryan at Library of Congress Authorities, with 34 catalog records (Ryan, Pam Muñoz)
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