Pam Muñoz Ryan
Encyclopedia
Pam Muñoz Ryan is a Mexican-American author.
Muñoz Ryan began writing when she was encouraged by a professor while in graduate school. "It took me a number or 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 that differed so much from the writing she had done for adults.
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.
The inspiration for Esperanza Rising
came from her grandmother. An immigrant from Mexico
, she faced inter-family complications, the death of her father, and the prejudice for her Hispanic heritage.
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 children's works have been translated for the Spanish-speaking book market. The Flag We Love (La bandera que amamos),Our California (Nuestra California) and "Nacho and Lolita" illustrated by Claudia Rueda
, along with the bilingual edition Hello Ocean / Hola mar were translated by the Cuban children's author Yanitzia Canetti
and published by Charlesbridge in Watertown, Massachusetts
.
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.
Riding Freedom, illustrated by Brian Selznick
Muñoz Ryan began writing when she was encouraged by a professor while in graduate school. "It took me a number or 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 that differed so much from the writing she had done for adults.
She is the author of the bestselling books Esperanza Rising
Esperanza Rising
Esperanza Rising is a 1000novel written by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Set during the time of the American Great Depression, it examines the plight of the Mexican farmworkers as they struggle to adapt and survive in the United States. This book has received many accolades, including the Pura Belpre...
and Becoming Naomi León
Becoming Naomi León
Becoming Naomi Leon is a book by Pam Muñoz Ryan about a quiet girl living with her great-grandmother and brother Owen. Little do they know that they are about to be taken on a whirlwind journey and a desperate search for her father.-Plot summary:...
. Her other novels include Riding Freedom about Charley Parkhurst
Charley Parkhurst
Charley Darkey Parkhurst, often Charlie/Charlene/Charlotte or Parkurst, born Mary Parkhurst , was an American stagecoach driver and early California settler...
, which has won numerous awards, and Paint the Wind. Muñoz Ryan has also written several children's books.
The inspiration for Esperanza Rising
Esperanza Rising
Esperanza Rising is a 1000novel written by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Set during the time of the American Great Depression, it examines the plight of the Mexican farmworkers as they struggle to adapt and survive in the United States. This book has received many accolades, including the Pura Belpre...
came from her grandmother. An immigrant from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, she faced inter-family complications, the death of her father, and the prejudice for her Hispanic heritage.
Becoming Naomi León
Becoming Naomi León
Becoming Naomi Leon is a book by Pam Muñoz Ryan about a quiet girl living with her great-grandmother and brother Owen. Little do they know that they are about to be taken on a whirlwind journey and a desperate search for her father.-Plot summary:...
came from a 1997 visit to the Mexican city of Oaxaca
Oaxaca, Oaxaca
The city and municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez, or simply Oaxaca, is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of the same name . It is located in the Centro District in the Central Valleys region of the state, in the foothills of the Sierra Madre at the base of the Cerro del Fortín...
to an annual Christmastime event called the "Night of the Radishes
Night of the Radishes
The Night of the Radishes is celebrated every year on December 23 and it began in 1897 in the “zócalo” of Oaxaca city. Although it lasts only a few hours, it attracts thousands of people to this plaza each year....
".
Some of her children's works have been translated for the Spanish-speaking book market. The Flag We Love (La bandera que amamos),Our California (Nuestra California) and "Nacho and Lolita" illustrated by Claudia Rueda
Claudia Rueda
Claudia Rueda is a Colombian picture book author, whose works include Nacho and Lolita and My Little Polar Bear. Herbooks have been published in the United States, Spain and Mexico, and have been translated into French, Danish, Portuguese, Korean and Chinese.-Published books:"No" ,"My Little Polar...
, along with the bilingual edition Hello Ocean / Hola mar were translated by the Cuban children's author Yanitzia Canetti
Yanitzia Canetti
Yanitzia Canetti is a Cuban author, translator, and editor.Her published works include two novels , a collection of narrative short stories , and over 200 children's books...
and published by Charlesbridge in Watertown, Massachusetts
Watertown, Massachusetts
The Town of Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,915 at the 2010 census.- History :Archeological evidence suggests that Watertown was inhabited for thousands of years before the arrival of settlers from England...
.
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
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
and Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
. In Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, illustrated by Brian Selznick
Brian Selznick
Brian Selznick is a Caldecott-winning American author and illustrator of children's books.-Life and career:Selznick was born in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey...
, she tells one such story, based on a true event.
Awards
When Marian Sang, illustrated by Brian SelznickBrian Selznick
Brian Selznick is a Caldecott-winning American author and illustrator of children's books.-Life and career:Selznick was born in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey...
- 2003 Orbis Pictus AwardOrbis Pictus AwardThe Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children recognizes books which demonstrate excellence in the “writing of nonfiction for children.” It is awarded annually by the National Council of Teachers of English to one American book published the previous year...
for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children - 2003 Honor Robert F. Sibert Informational Book AwardSibert MedalThe Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award established by the Association for Library Service to Children in 2001 with support from Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc., is awarded annually to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the...
.
Riding Freedom, illustrated by Brian Selznick
Brian Selznick
Brian Selznick is a Caldecott-winning American author and illustrator of children's books.-Life and career:Selznick was born in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey...
- 1999–2000 California Young Reader MedalCalifornia Young Reader MedalThe California Young Reader Medal is an award given annually to books nominated and voted on by children in California. The medal was established in 1974 and encourages recreational reading...
- 1998 Reading 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