Alan Gratz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alan Gratz
Born	(1972-01-27) January 27, 1972 (age 52) Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupation	Author
Education	University of Tennessee (BA)
Genre	Young Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction
Spouse	Wendi Gratz
Children	Jo Gratz

Alan Michael Gratz (born January 27, 1972) is the author of 19 novels for young adults including Prisoner B-3087, Code of Honor, Grenade, Something Rotten, Ground Zero, Allies, and Refugee, which has won 14 state awards.

Life

Alan Gratz was born on January 27, 1972 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He wrote his first book Real Kids Don’t Eat Spinach when he was in fifth grade. He kept writing stories in middle school and high school.

Gratz holds a B.A. in creative writing and a master's degree in English education, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. During his time at the university, he worked for the school's newspaper, the Daily Beacon.

Alan Gratz lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and daughter Jo.

Interesting facts about Alan Gratz

• Before becoming a full-time writer, Gratz worked as an English teacher.
• His dream job is being a game show host.
• In his free time, Gratz enjoys building things and playing board games.
• He also collects action figures and other toys.
• Alan likes comics and wishes he could draw comic strips.
• His favourite team is Los Angeles Dodgers.
• His favourite book he's written is The League of Seven!

Produced plays

• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Knoxville Actors Co-op, 2004), adapted from the 1820 short story by Washington Irving
• Measured in Labor: The Coal Creek Project (Knoxville Actors Co-op, 2004)
• Young Nickory (Knoxville Actors Co-op, 1999)
• The Gift of the Magi (Knoxville Actors Co-op, 1999), adapted from the 1905 short story by O. Henry
• Indian Myths and Legends (Knoxville Actors Co-op, 1998)
• Sweet Sixteen (Knoxville Actors Co-op, 1998)

Other writing credits

• Episodes of the A&E Network show City Confidential
  • Somerset, KY: A Killer Campaign (2004)
  • Lexington, KY: A Parting Shot (2004)
  • Seattle, WA: The Long Walk Home (2004)
  • Pikeville, KY: Kentucky Gothic (2005)
• The League of Seven Prequels
  • "Join, or Die: A League of Seven Short Story" Malaprop's Bookstore exclusive preorder Chapbook (2014)
  • "Hero of the Five Points" Tor.com exclusive short story (2014)

Grants and awards

• Finalist, 2002 Marguerite de Angeli Contest (now known as the Delacorte Dell Yearling Contest for a First Middle-Grade Novel)
• Co-winner, 2003 Kimberly Colen Memorial Grant from SCBWI
• Winner of the 2017 National Jewish Book Award in the Young Adult Literature category for his book Refugee
• Winner of the 2019–2020 Young Hoosier Book Award (Middle Grades) for Refugee
• 2020 Buxtehude Bull