by Colin Swanson

Gary Soto is a Mexican - American author and poet. He grew up in a Mexican-American neighborhood in Fresno, California. His heritage is a central focus of his writing. He writes about the hardships and problems of young Mexican - Americans much like himself. He is a very successful author and poet and has led a long and diverse career. Gary Soto's long and successful career is based on solid roots and a strong love of his themes.

To accomplish anything in life, a person must first be born, and thus, Gary Soto was born on April 12, 1952, in Fresno, California to Manuel Soto and Angie Trevino. Both Manuel and Angie were born in the United States, but Gary Soto's grandparents were born in Mexico (Harris 111). Gary Soto lived with his parents, grandparents, brother Rich, and sister Debra (Still) in...