Name. : Per. - “Oranges” by Gary Soto Author Biography and Historical Context In an autobiography written for Scholastic, Gary Soto writes, “To me the finest praise is when a reader says, I can see your stories. This is what I'm always working for, a story that becomes alive and meaningful in the reader's mind.” Gary Soto was born in 1952 in Fresno, California. As a kid, he didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a great writer; he wanted to be eithor a priest or a paleontologist. His life growing up was difficult. His parents worked as laborers, and his father died when Gary was only five. Following his death, his mother struggled to make ends meet. School wasn't a priority for Gary or his family, When he was in high school, Gary's grades were less than ideal. Still, Gary read books by great authors like Ernest Hemmingway and John Steinbeck. When he was in college, he discovered poetry, and he was hooked. He decided to become an English major. He eventually earned a Master of Fine Arts degree and taught at the University of California. Asa Mexican American, Gary Soto likes to write about issues and experiences he had growing up in the Mexican American culture, but he also likes to write stories and poems that all people can relate to and understand, regardless of where they grew up. His books for young people contain themes and events that all kids cen understand. He has written ali kinds of genres: plays, novels, poems, memoirs, and films. Gary Soto has written many books for children, teens, and adults, and has received awards for his writing, Additionally, he has been a spokesperson for the United Farm Workers of America — an organization that promotes the rights of migrant farm workers. Gary Soto still lives and writes in California. Migrant Farm Workers A nigrant farm worker is someone who travels with the growing seasons ~ harvesting crops as they ripen. ‘These laborers have historically been paid low wages, and have poor working and living conditions. The children of migrant workers often also work; their schooling is interrupted or incomplete as they travel from town to town with their parents. Cesar Chavez was a farm worker who founded United Farm Workers, The organization works to improve working conditions for migrant workers. By encouraging boycotts of particular farm products, United Farm Workers has been successful in improving working conditions and wages for laborers. (©2011 Secondary SoitionsPocketSoltions® 3 Single Classroom Use Licensed ProductPer. Gary Soto has been the Young People Ambassador for the United Farm Workers of Whatis a boycott? A boycott America, As he travels around the country is the refusal to purchase speaking to schools, he shares stories of migrant something or shop ata farmers with them. particular store because you disagree with the way a product : is produced or how a store is, Exploring Expository Writing: Author | run. A boycott is often effective Biography and Historical Context when in impacts the profits a company or person ears. Directions: Answer the following questions using complete sentences on a separate piece of paper. 1. When was Gary Soto born? 2. What childhood experiences may have influenced him? Why might Gary Soto be interested in helping migrant farm workers? ae How can you tell that education is important to Gary Soto? How can reading about someone else's experiences of growing up in a different culture be helpful to you? a 6. Whatis a function of an organization like United Farm Workers? Gary Soto continues to write books for young people. Based on the quote used at the ‘beginning of the article, what are his goals as a writer? 8. What does winning an award tell us about writer?