Librería Martínez de Chapman University Continues its Free Summer Series of Author Talks and Signings

On the schedule in July and August: Appearances by Luis J. Rodriguez, Roberto Rodriguez Cintla, poetry students of the El Sol Academy, and Ruben Navarette interviewing Alfredo Corchado

ORANGE, Calif. – Continuing its summer series – which in June drew dozens of visitors from Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties – Librería Martínez de Chapman University presents four more free author talks and book-signings this summer in the famed Santa Ana bookstore founded by Orange County cultural and literacy activist Ruebén Martínez.

• All events are free and open to the public, and the authors’ books will be available for purchase at the store.
• Seating is limited, and reservations by phone or online are required: 714-973-7900 or libreriamartinez@chapman.edu.
• Librería Martínez de Chapman University is located at 216 N. Broadway in Santa Ana (map and parking).

SATURDAY, JULY 6 at 6 p.m. – Luis J. Rodriguez

Luis J. Rodriguez is an award-winning author of 15  books in poetry, children’s literature, novels, short stories, nonfiction and memoir. He is perhaps best known for his international best-seller “Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A,” a memoir about a young Chicano gang member struggling to survive the dangerous streets of East Los Angeles and his quest to free himself from this seemingly all-encompassing gang culture. “Richly literary and poetic, yet urgent and politically explosive at the same time…A permanent testament to human courage and transcendence,” said Jonathan Kozol, author of “Savage Inequalities.”   Rodriguez’s  latest book, “It Calls You Back: An Odyssey through Love, Addiction, Revolutions and Healing,” is a sequel to “Always Running.”  In it, Rodriguez takes a hard look at his post-gang life and the strange way in which his past—the crimes, the drugs, the things he’s seen and done—has a way of calling him back.  Rodriguez is also founder of Tia Chucha Press, which has published quality cross-cultural poetry collections for 25 years, and is also co-founder of Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural and Bookstore, a full-fledged cultural space in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.

SATURDAY, JULY 13  at 6 p.m. – Roberto Cintli Rodriguez

Roberto Cintli Rodriguez an assistant professor in the University of Arizona’s Mexican American and Raza Studies Department.  He is a longtime award-winning journalist and columnist, with many awards for his work in the defense of the First Amendment as well as human rights. His current field of study is the examination of maiz (maize) culture, migration and the role of stories and oral traditions among indigenous peoples, including Mexican and Central American peoples.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – El Sol Science and Arts Academy Student Poetry Book Launch

“Journey with me and see what I see…” (Daniela Jimenez, 7^th grade).  Celebrate the release of the latest collection of poems written by the students of El Sol Academy in Santa Ana: “Journey Work of Stars,” edited by Sue Cronmiller.  This reception will include notable guest speakers, poetry readings from the book, a book signing, and a casual, fun poetry-writing workshop for the whole family led by Ms. Cronmiller, director of the Poetry Academy at El Sol.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22 at 6:30 p.m. – Alfredo Corchado with CNN Reporter and Journalist Ruben Navarrete

Alfredo Corchado, Mexico bureau chief for the Dallas Morning News, is a noted expert on immigration, drug violence and foreign policy between the U.S. and Mexico. He has reported on everything from the disappearance of women in Juarez to the exodus of Mexico’s middle class to the United States. Over the years, Corchado has exposed government corruption and the reach of Mexican drug traffickers into U.S. communities, receiving numerous death threats – including a threat to kill an “American journalist” within 24 hours. He thought he was the target of this timed threat and instead of fleeing the country, Corchado went deep into the Mexican countryside to investigate.  “Midnight in Mexico” is the story of his quest to report the truth of his country—as he raced to save his own life.  CNN reporter and journalist Ruben Navarrete will interview Corchado following the presentation on “Midnight in Mexico.” Navarrete is the most widely read Latino columnist in the country, with a nationally syndicated twice-per-week column that appears in nearly 150 newspapers.

About Librería Martínez de Chapman University:
Chapman University and its College of Educational Studies join with cultural leader and literacy advocate Ruebén Martínez as partners in his bookstore, Librería Martínez, an Orange County literary landmark located in downtown Santa Ana.   The bookstore is a nonprofit community educational initiative under the university’s oversight, offering partnered programs with the university that include literacy tutoring staffed by Chapman education students and faculty members, counseling programs to help students navigate the education system from K-12 through college, reading clubs, monthly book discussions, author signings and more.   Ruebén Martínez is a Distinguished Presidential Fellow at Chapman University and continues his indefatigable work as a literacy advocate and university ambassador.

About Chapman University:
Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University provides a uniquely personalized and interdisciplinary educational experience to highly qualified students. Our programs encourage innovation, creativity and collaboration, and focus on developing global citizen-leaders who are distinctively prepared to improve their community and their world.

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