Home > Facts > Biography Facts > Gary Soto Facts

Gary Soto Facts

Gary Soto Facts
Gary Soto is an American novelist and poet, author of memoirs and children's literature. He was born Gary Anthony Soto on April 12, 1952, in Fresno, California, to Manuel and Angie Soto. His father died when he was five and his family struggled financially. In high school he became interested in poetry and read authors such as Robert Frost, Jules Verne, and Ernest Hemingway. Gary earned a B.A. in English in California and did graduate work at the University of California. In 1976 he became the first Mexican-American to earn a M.F.A. and became a Distinguished Professor. He also became a famous author and continues to write.
Interesting Gary Soto Facts:
Gary Soto was nominated for the 1978 Pulitzer Prize for The Tale of Sunlight - a poetry collection.
Gary Soto won the 1976 United States Award of the International Poetry Forum with his first poetry collection titled The Elements of San Joaquin.
Gary Soto's memoir titled Living Up the Street won the Before Columbus Foundation's American Book Award in 1985.
Gary Soto won the Andrew Carnegie Medal in 1993 for his work on the film The Pool Party.
Gary's other awards include the Hispanic Award for Literature, the Bess Hokin Prize, John and Patricia Beatty Award (twice), the Tomas Rivera Prize and the Phoenix Award in 2014 for the children's book titles Jesse.
Gary Soto has worked as a film producer, playwright, editor, author, poet, and professor.
Gary Soto's notable works include Petty Crimes, New and Selected Poems, and Living Up the Streets.


Related Links:
Facts
Biography Facts
Animals Facts