For our final reader, we have Luis Rodriguez.
Luis Rodriguez believes a writer can change the world.
Through the power of words, this acclaimed poet,
novelist, children's book author,
and journalist saw his way out of poverty and despair.
Successful as a Chicano poet, Rodriguez
thought he had put the street and his own days
as a gang member behind him, until his young son joined
a gang.
Rodriguez fought for his child by telling his own story
in the national bestseller, "Always Running, La Vida
Loca, Gang Days in LA."
This vivid memoir explores gang life
and cautions against the death and destruction
that haunts its participants.
A New York Times notable book, Always Running
was named one of the nation's 100 most censored titles
by the American Library Association.
The book has been included on school reading lists
nationwide, but has often been the subject of controversy
due to its frank depictions of gang life.
Jonathan Kozol called Always Running
an absolutely unique work, richly literary and poetic, yet
urgent and politically explosive at the time,
a permanent testament to human courage and transcendence.
Writing in the New York Times Book Review,
Gary Soto said Rodriguez's account of his coming of age
is vivid, raw, fierce, and fearless.
Here's truth no television set, burning night and day,
could ever begin to offer.
Always Running was adapted as full stage play in 2019
by Luis J. Rodriguez and Hector Rodriguez for Casa 101
Theater in Los Angeles.
In 2012, Rodriguez also published "It Calls You Back,"
an odyssey of love, addiction, revolutions, and healing.
This sequel to Always Running was nominated for the National
Book Critics Circle Award.
I will stop there, Luis.
You have so many amazing things that you've done in your life,
to not only write, but also just to inspire others to write.
So I just want to give you the warmest welcome for being here.
Gracias.