Dean Hughes facts for kids

Dean Hughes (born August 24, 1943) is a popular American author. He has written over 100 books for young people and adults. Many of his stories are about sports or wars. He is also well-known for his historical novels, especially those set during World War II.

About Dean Hughes

Dean Hughes is an author who has written a lot of books. He has published more than 100 stories, poems, and short stories. He writes for different age groups, from children to adults.

His Early Life and Education

Dean Hughes was born on August 24, 1943, in Ogden, Utah. After high school, he started writing his first novel. However, it was not published. He went to Weber State University to study English. Later, he earned a Master's degree in creative writing and a PhD in literature from the University of Washington. Before becoming a full-time writer, he taught English at Central Missouri State University. He also taught creative writing at Brigham Young University.

Becoming a Published Author

In 1979, Dean Hughes published his first book, Under the Same Stars. Since then, he has written many more. His books often focus on sports or stories from the World War II era. He is also known for his books for young people who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One of his famous books for adults is the Children of the Promise series. It is set during World War II. In 2001, his World War II novel Soldier Boys was published. In 2013, he celebrated publishing his 100th book, called Through Cloud and Sunshine. His 2003 novel, Midway to Heaven, was even made into a movie in 2011. This was the first of his books to become a film.

Life Outside Writing

Dean Hughes is married to Kathleen Hurst Hughes. They have three children and nine grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah. Dean and his wife Kathy also served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Awards and Recognition

Dean Hughes has received many awards for his writing. In 2005, he won the Smith-Pettit Foundation Award for his book Children of the Promise. In 2007, he received a Lifetime Achievement award at the first Whitney Awards. This award recognized his long and successful career. In 2013, he also received an Outstanding Achievement AML Award.

He has also won AML Awards for specific books. These include The Trophy (1994), Far from Home (1998), and Muddy: Where Faith and Polygamy Collide (2019).