Matthew Venza

Matthew Venza was eleven years old when he discovered his love of reading. Up until then, he enjoyed the occasional picture book, but mainly stuck to nonfiction books about tanks or animals. But it only took one chapter book to turn him into a life-long reader. That book, a memoir about the great Souix leader Sitting Bull, opened up a millions different worlds and possiblities. It was written in a style and level that appealed to his eleven year old mind. It was rich in detail, but easily understood and enjoyed.

Years later, as he shared his love of reading with his students as an upper elementary school teacher, he would recognize stories that capture his students' imagination and heart. They all shared a similar thread: rich in detail, but easily understood and enjoyed. Venza crafts his stories the same way. He writes for his audience: kids that love a good story and want to get lost with characters they recognize because they are their friends they sit next to on the bus or play with after school. His stories are real and the characters are relatable.

Venza continues to teach in Pennsylvania as he continues to write. He loves both and can't see doing anything else. His family keeps him busy and are a constant supply of anecdotes and inspiration.