“I'm ashamed to admit this, but I didn't read a novel all the way throu...” — Matt de la Pena Quote

“I'm ashamed to admit this, but I didn't read a novel all the way through until after high school. Blasphemy, I know. I'm an author now. Books and words are my world.”

“In all of my books, I really want to work with working-class people. My goal is to show the moments of grace and dignity in their lives.”

“Once I got into college, I discovered literature - in particular, multicultural literature. I just started to understand the power of story and narrative, and you know, like anyone else, I kind of wanted to do it, too.”

“It takes a strong person to admit he's got problems. Things are bugging you, you've got to get it out. Life is supposed to be peaches and cream, but it doesn't turn out that way. I sometimes found things confusing and sometimes didn't understand how things can be so difficult.”

“Indifference is harder to fight than hostility, and there is nothing that kills an agitation like having everybody admit that it is fundamentally right.”

“I'm not going to sit here and say I know everything about everything. I definitely have work to do. The thing is, I'm willing to admit that.”