Chris Baron in conversation with Matt de la Peña

On Saturday, June 17th at 7:00pm Warwick's will host Chris Baron as he discusses and signs his new book, The Gray, in conversation with Matt de la Peña for a discussion entitled "Healing, Hope, and Change: The Power of Middle Grade Books for Readers of All Ages." 

Chris Baron is the award-winning author of novels for children including All of Me, an National Council of Teachers of English Notable Book, and The Magical Imperfect, a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book and School Library Journal Best Book of 2021. He is also author of the forthcoming novels Forest Heart and Secret of the Dragon Gems, a middle grade novel co-authored with Rajani LaRocca, and editor of On All Other Nights: A Middle Grade Passover Anthology. He is a Professor of English at San Diego City College and the director of the Writing Center. He completed his MFA in Poetry in 1998 at SDSU. He lives in San Diego with his family.

Reserved Seating is available when The Gray is pre-ordered from Warwick's through the linked green "Reserve Seats Here" button above. Only books purchased from Warwick's will be signed. Please call the Warwick's Book Dept. (858) 454-0347 for details.

The Gray is a sensitively told middle grade story from Chris Baron about living with anxiety and finding ways to cope.

It's been a tough year for Sasha - he's been bullied at his middle school and his anxiety, which he calls the Gray, is growing. Sasha's dad tells him to "toughen up" - and he does, but with unfortunate, hurtful results. His parents and therapist agree that a summer in the country with his aunt might be the best medicine, but it's the last place he wants to be. He'll be away from his best friend, video games, and stuck in the house that reminds him of his beloved uncle who died two years earlier.

His aunt is supportive, and there are lots of places to explore, and even some potential new friends. When Sasha is introduced at a local ranch to a horse coincidentally - incredibly - nicknamed the Gray, he feels he's found a kindred spirit.

But his own Gray is ever-present. When one of his new friends disappears, Sasha discovers that the country is wilder and more mysterious than he imagined. He tries to muster enough courage to help in the search... but will the Gray hold him back?

Matt de la Peña is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Newbery Medal-winning author of seven young adult novels (including Mexican WhiteBoy and We Were Here) and seven picture books (including Patchwork and Last Stop on Market Street). In 2016 he was awarded the NCTE Intellectual Freedom Award. Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific where he attended school on a full basketball scholarship. In 2019 Matt was awarded an honorary doctorate from UOP.