Gary Paulsen (born May 17, 1939) is a prolific American writer, who writes many young adult coming of age stories about the wilderness. He is the author of more than 200 books (many of which are out of print), 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays; primarily for young adults.

Personal history and works

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Paulsen's interests in books and reading began when he was a teenager and walked into a library to escape the cold Minnesota winter. Reading helped Paulsen cope with a difficult family situation then (his parents were both alcoholics) and remains a constant in his life today.

Paulsen has had many hardships since he was a child. He was raised by his grandmother and aunts. Paulsen used his work as a magazine editor to learn the craft of writing. In 1966, his first book was published, Some Ugly Birds don't Cry (possibly published under different names). Using his varied life experiences, but especially those of an outdoorsman—a hunter, trapper, and two-time competitor in the 1,049 mile Iditarod dog sled race, Paulsen writes about what he knows best.

Much of Paulsen's work features outdoor settings showing the importance of water and woods to the harmony of nature. He often uses coming of age themes in his novels, where a character masters the art of survival in isolation as a rite of passage to manhood.

Some of Paulsen's most well-known books are the Hatchet series, although he has published many other popular adventure novels including The Transall Saga and The Winter Room. Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room won the Newbery Honor. Woodsong and Winterdance are among the most popular books about the Iditarod.

Paulsen competed in the 1983 and 1985 Iditarods. In 1990, due to heart problems, he gave up dog sledding, which he has described as the most difficult decision he has ever made. After more than a decade spent sailing all over the Pacific, Paulsen got back into dog sledding in 2003. In 2005, he was scheduled to compete in the 2005 Iditarod after a 20-year absence, but withdrew shortly before the start of the race. He participated in the 2006 Iditarod but scratched after two days.

Paulsen lives in La Luz, New Mexico with his Wife, Ruth Wright Paulsen, an artist (who has illustrated several of his books).

Awards

• The Winter Room: 1990 Newbery Honor BookNewbery, n.d..
• Hatchet: 1988 Newbery Honor BookNewbery, n.d.., 1989–90 Mark Twain Award nomineeMark Twain, 2005.
• Dogsong: 1986 Newbery Honor BookNewbery, n.d..
• Brian's Winter: 1998–99 Mark Twain Award nomineeMark Twain, 2005.
• Canyons: 1992–93 Mark Twain Award nomineeMark Twain, 2005.
• Haymeadow: 1994–95 Mark Twain Award nomineeMark Twain, 2005.
• How Angel Peterson Got His Name: 2005–06 Mark Twain Award nominee2005–2006 Mark Twain, n.d.
• Mr. Tucket: 1996–97 Mark Twain Award nomineeMark Twain, 2005.
• Voyage of the Frog: 1991–92 Mark Twain Award nomineeMark Twain, 2005.
• Woodsong: 1992–93 Mark Twain Award nomineeMark Twain, 2005.

Paulsen was also awarded the 1997 Margaret A. Edwards AwardMargaret A. Edwards Awards: previous winners. (n.d.). for his works "helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world"Margarete A. Edwards Awards. (n.d.)..

Notes

References

• 2005–2006 Mark Twain Award master list addendum. (n.d.). Missouri Association of School Librarians. Retrieved March 12, 2006 from Missouri Association of School Librarians, Book Awards.
• Mark Twain Award master list 1971–2006. (April 29, 2005). Retrieved March 12, 2006 from Mid-Continent Public Library, Juvenile Award Winners ((pdf).
• Margaret A. Edwards Award. (n.d.). American Library Association. [http://www.ala

• Gary Paulsen's site

• Film adaptions by Gary Paulsen from the IMDb site
• 1990 young adult Sequoyah Award from Oklahoma Library Association

1939 births | American dog mushers | American novelists | Living people | Newbery Honor winners

Gary Paulsen