Author Study

Pam Munoz Ryan

Beth VancilLIB 732

Dec. 2013

Pam Munoz Ryan

Pam was born in Bakersfield, California. Her Mexican grandmother lived around the corner, and

her Oklahoman grandmother lived in the nearby town of Lamont. “When I was with one, I often ate enchiladas, rice, and beans. When I was with the other, I ate black-eyed peas, fried okra, and peach

cobblers.”

Pam loved books as a child and would ride her bike to the library to fill the basket with books. They were her escape siblings and cousins and let her imagination take her places she could only dream about. She

could become any character in the stories she read.

She was a bilingual teacher.

While working on her masters degree, a teacher encouraged her to try writing. Now she is a full time writer. She lives in San

Deigo, California with her husband and two dogs.

Her first book for children was published in 1994. One Hundred is a Family shows families and friendshipswhile helping children count from 1 to 100 by ones and tens. “Every one on earth can be a family caring for the fragile universe.” (1994)

Other Picture Books for Children• The Flag We Love (1996) • The Crayon Counting Book (1996)• A Pinky is a Baby Mouse (1999) • Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride: based on

a true story (1999)• Hello Ocean (2001)• Mice and Beans (2001)• Mud is Cake (2002) • Nacho and Lolita (2005) • Tony Baloney (2011)

Pam also write for older children. One of her most acclaimed books is Esperanza Rising (2000). This story is about a family who is well established in Mexico. But they are forced to move to California during the great depression. The family is now living in a migrant farm camp and working the fields. This story is based on hergrandparents life and they lived in Arvin, California.

Other Titles for Older Children• Riding Freedom (1998)• Paint the Wind (2001)• When Marian Sang (2002) • Becoming Naomi Leon (2004)• The Dreamer (2012)

Many of her books are published in Spanish as well.

Authors Readers Theater

Pam is also involved in a company called Authors Readers Theater. A

group of authors travel the country presenting their stories through readers theater. They preform at teacher and librarian conferences. On a personal note, I have heard the company and they are wonderful. Don’t miss an opportunity to hear them if you can.

Books Cited• Ryan, Pam Munoz. One Hundred is a Family. Hyperion Book

CH, 1996. Print.• Ryan, Pam Munoz. The Crayon Counting Book.

Charlesbridge, 1996. Print.• Ryan, Pam Munoz. The Flag We Love. Scholastic, 1996. Print. • Ryan, Pam Munoz. Riding Freedom. Scholastic, 1998. Print.• Ryan, Pam Munoz. Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride.

Scholastic, 1999. Print.• Ryan, Pam Munoz. A Pinky is a Baby Mouse. Hyperion, 1999.

Print.• Ryan, Pam Munoz. Esperanza Rising. Scholastic, 2000. Print

• Ryan, Pam Munoz. Hello Ocean. Charlesbridge, 2001. Print.

• Ryan, Pam Munoz. Mice and Beans. Scholastic, 2001. Print.

• Ryan, Pam Munoz. Paint the Wind. Scholastic, 2001. Print• Ryan, Pam Munoz. Mud is Cake. Hyperion Book CH, 2002.

Print.• Ryan, Pam Munoz. When Marion Sang. Scholastic, 2002.

Print.• Ryan, Pam Munoz. Becoming Naomi Leon. Scholastic,

2004. Print.• Ryan, Pam Munoz. Nacho and Lolita. Scholastic, 2005.

Print.

Resources

• Ryan, Pam Munoz. Tony Baloney. Scholastic, 2011. Print.

• Ryan, Pam Munoz. The Dreamer. Scholastic, 2012. Print.

• Ryan, Pam Munoz. Personal Interviews. N.d.• http://www.pammunozryan.com/• http://www.sarahweeks.com/sweeks-readers.htm• http://

www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/pam-munoz-ryan-1