Quiñonez Sparks White Plains
White Plains High School students got a visit last week from the author of a modern classic.
Ernesto Quiñonez , author of the critically acclaimed Bodega Dreams, spoke to students on Friday in the library about the importance of writing and education.
Quiñonez , who grew up in Spanish Harlem, read from Bodega Dreams, which is read at the high school and was named a New Immigrant Classic by the New York Times. While writing the book he taught bilingual 4th grade in New York City.
“I believe in storytelling,” Quiñonez said. “We love stories. You need to read a lot. You have to take time out and keep a journal or blog.”
Quiñonez also recommended that students see a lot of movies and listen to all kinds of music.
“You’re going to steal a lot from those movies,” Quiñonez said. “Listening to music will give your writing rhythm. Go to museums and look at paintings. Really immerse yourself in storytelling. All of it helps. All of that beauty.”
Quiñonez also preached hard about the importance of getting an education. While he later studied at CUNY, Quiñonez did not initially go to college upon graduating high school.
“No one told me I could’ve gone to college,” Quiñonez said. “The only way you left the barrio was by joining the Army or dying. Go away to college.”
The author said that students could find their own voice while at college. Having written a book, Quiñonez told students that the writing process can be difficult, especially with all the drafts and revisions that a writer goes through.
“After a while it makes you want to vomit,” Quiñonez said. “But you have to go through that process.”
Quiñonez said his favorite book is The Stranger and that he deals with writer’s block by reading or going to the movies. After meeting with the students, he said it’s important for authors and artists to come and speak to kids.
“All artists should get tax breaks if they visit high schools to encourage more correspondence from artists,” Quiñonez said.
Ronni Diamondstein, the Library Media Specialist at White Plains High School, said that bringing authors to the high school allows students to make a connection.
“It inspired the students a lot,” Diamondstein said. “They were very excited.”
Diamondstein noted that the high school has a large Latino population that would look up to Quiñonez , who was born in Ecuador before coming to America.
“He has lived the American dream and is a very unpretentious person,” Diamondstein said. “He shows that if you read books, you never know.”
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.