Torrey Maldonado
Personal Background
His mother played a significant role in his love for reading and writing, encouraging him though it all despite societal pressures.
As a Black Latino, Maldonado's work often explore themes that evolves reflection over his own experiences.
Maldonado's early inspirations came from comic books with vibrant storytelling of his culture.
Maldonado grew up in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Personal Influence
Maldonado's upbringing in Brooklyn and his experiences with racial inequality heavily influences his writing, aiming to inspire and teach the young.
Educator
Maldonado is a veteran middle-school social studies teacher in Brooklyn, New York, where he draws inspiration from his students and his community.
Maldonado believes in the transformative power of education and literature, often drawing from his own educational journey to inspire others.
He is passionate about promoting literacy among young people, particularly those from marginalized communities.
He's been an educator for over 25 years.
His books are used for educational settings to engage students with relatable stories and characters.
Awards
His novels 'Tight', 'What Lane?', ' and 'Hands' are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections.
'Hands' received a starred review from the School Library Journal and positive reviews from Horn Book, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly.
His book 'Tight' was recognized as an ALA Notable Book.
Torrey Maldonado has won the Christopher Award twice, first for his book 'tight' and more recently, 'hands'.
'Tight' was named a Best Book of the Year by NPR and the Washington Post
Subtopic
Writing Style
Known for his concise and impactful storytelling, Maldonado's books are praised for their readability and depth, often being under 200 pages to engage reluctant readers.
Books!
''Secret Saturdays' - Maldonado's debut novel, inspired by his own experiences and those of his students, focuses on friendship and the challenges faced by young boys in tough environments.
'What Lane' - A story about navigating racial identity and societal expectations, praised for its timely and relevant themes.
'Tight' - This novel explores themes of peer pressure and personal integrity, drawing from Maldonado's own childhood experiences in Brooklyn.
'Hands' - Maldonado's latest book, which delves into themes of family community, and personal growth, reflecting his own life experiences.
Recognition
His book 'What Lane?' was recognized by Oprah Magazine as one of the 'Best Books for Discussing Racism' and was listed by New York Times as one if the '14 Antiracist Books for Kids and Teens'.
Author
Torrey Maldonado is known for his middle-grade novels such as 'secret Saturdays', 'tight', and 'hands'. His work often explores themes of identity, race, and resilience.
