Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner", "A Thousand Splendid Suns"

Khaled Hosseini first read The Grapes of Wrath in English class at San Jose's Independence High School. Steinbeck's story of migrants leaving their home in search of a better life resonated with Hosseini, whose family was granted political asylum in America when he was a young boy. Hosseini would later write three novels drawing upon his own experience as an Afghan emigre. In his books—The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, And the Mountains Echoed—Hosseini weaves potent tales of Afghan-American life and culture. In addition to accepting the John Steinbeck Award for his literary contributions to humanitarian causes, the author will reflect on his own life and personal journey as an immigrant. (Alice Yin)