Amy's Gary Paulsen Page
Gary Paulsen, born on May 17, 1939 in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, is the author of more than 40 books, 200 magazine articles and
short stories, and several plays; primarily for Young Adults. Paulsen began
to show an interest in books and reading when he was a teenager.
He would walk into a library to escape the cold of a Minnesota winter.
Once inside, the librarian offered him a library card and a book to read.
Reading helped Paulsen cope with family conflicts then and emains a passion
in his life today.
Ever since he was 15, Paulsen has worked at many
jobs: migrant worker, soldier, field engineer, truck driver, and magazine
editor. Paulsen used his work as a magazine editor to learn
the craft of writing. In 1966, his first book was published. Using his
life experiences, especially those of an outdoorsman--a hunter, trapper,
and two-time competitor in the Iditarod, a 1,200 mile Alaskan dogsled race,
Paulsen writes about what he knows best. This knowledge comes through clearly
in the details he uses, making the reader feel as though they were the
main character.
Paulsen's work takes place mostly in the out-of-doors
showing the importance of water and woods to the harmony of nature. He
often has his characters in prediciments where a character masters the
art of survival into manhood. A strong sense of humor has won Paulsen his
much deserved reputation.
Paulsen lives in La Luz, New Mexico with his wife,
Ruth, an artist.
