It wasn’t easy being a bookish boy born and raised in one of New York’s toughest housing projects. But overcoming Brooklyn hardships and failing, culturally unresponsive schools helped shape me into the writer and teacher I am. I've taught NYC public school for almost 25 years and former Chancellors honored me as a top teacher. My stories are inspired by my and my students' lives, what it’s like to come of age, to not fit into one box, to be mixed, to live in the inner city, to transition from boy to man, and the thrills of today’s youth. The result? Stories for kids to love, that love kids back, and helps kids see things as more complex and themselves as heroes. It’s a dream come true to be voted a "Top 10 Latino Author", a Best Black Middle Grade and Young Adult novelist, and have my middle grade books resonate with upper elementary to young adult readers and get critical acclaim for being universal and timeless. Learn more at torreymaldonado.com