An author from National City is the first Latino author to win the John Newbery Medal for literature.
Matt de La Peña is the author of “Last Stop on Market Street,” a boy named CJ who wonders why he lives differently from his friend.
Del la Peña earned his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University. He is the best-selling author of six books.
The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.