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He is born in Fresno, California.
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Soto's father died in an accident at Sunmaid Raisin Company when he is only 5 years old.
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He graduates with a 1.6 GPA out of Roosevelt High School.
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He graduates from Fresno State College with a degree in English Studies.
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He gets married to his wife, Carolyn Oda.
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He publishes his first book (The Elements of San Joaquin).
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His daughter Mariko Heidi Soto is born.
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His book (The Tale of Sunlight) is nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry.
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He earns the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Film Excellence from the Association for Liberty Service to Children for his production work on the film, The Pool Party.
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He graduates University of California Irvine and earned an MFA.
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He earns the Hispanic Heritage Award for his work, Petty Crimes.
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Soto speaks at the National Book Festival
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The Gary Soto literary museum opens up at Fresno City College.