Gary Paulsen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gary Paulsen
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Paulsen in 2012
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| Born | Gary James Paulsen May 17, 1939 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | October 13, 2021 (aged 82) Tularosa, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Occupation | Author |
| Period | 1966–2021 |
| Genre | Children's fiction, young adult fiction, adventure novels, nonfiction |
| Subject | Adventure memoirs, sports |
| Notable works |
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| Notable awards | Margaret Edwards Award 1997 |
| Spouse | Ruth Wright Paulsen |
| Children | 3 |
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Gary James Paulsen (May 17, 1939 – October 13, 2021) was an American writer famous for his exciting adventure stories. He wrote over 200 books, mostly for teenagers, often about characters learning to survive and grow up in the wilderness. Paulsen was honored with the Margaret Edwards Award in 1997 for his amazing contributions to books for young adults. His most famous book is Hatchet, which tells the story of a boy who survives a plane crash in the wild.
Contents
Early Life
Gary Paulsen was born on May 17, 1939, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His father was an army officer who was often away for his work. When Gary was seven, he and his mother traveled to the Philippines to join his father at his army base. Before that, Gary lived in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and Chicago. For a year during World War II, he lived with relatives on a farm.
Gary Paulsen wrote about some of his early experiences in books like Eastern Sun, Winter Moon: An Autobiographical Odyssey. He described his life in Chicago when he was seven. Later, in Guts: The True Stories Behind Hatchet and the Brian Books, Paulsen shared how he managed to take care of himself between the ages of twelve and fourteen in Minnesota. He worked several jobs, like setting pins at a bowling alley and delivering newspapers, to earn money for school supplies and food. He even hunted for his own meals using a rifle and later a bow and arrows he made himself.
Paulsen finished high school at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. He attended Bemidji State University for a time. From 1959 to 1962, he served in the U.S. Army, working with missiles and reaching the rank of sergeant. His time in the army brought him to New Mexico, a place he later chose to live.
Writing Career
Much of what we know about Gary Paulsen's life comes from the introductions and conclusions in his own books. For example, in The Quilt, he wrote about how much his grandmother influenced him during summers he spent with her.
Themes in Paulsen's Books
Many of Paulsen's books are set in the great outdoors and show how important nature is. He often wrote "coming-of-age" stories, where a character faces challenges, often alone in the wild, and learns important lessons about survival and growing up. These stories show how characters become stronger and more mature through their experiences. Paulsen often showed a dislike for too much technology in his stories, preferring the natural world.
His most famous novel is Hatchet (1987). Other well-known books include Dogsong (1985) and The Winter Room (1989).
Awards and Recognition
Gary Paulsen received the Margaret Edwards Award in 1997. This award recognizes a writer whose books have made a "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature." The award committee highlighted six of his books: Dancing Carl, Hatchet, The Crossing, The Winter Room, Canyons, and Woodsong. They noted that his books often explore the theme of survival, whether it's surviving a plane crash or facing difficult home situations. Hatchet was especially praised for covering all aspects of survival, both physical and mental.
Three of Paulsen's books were also honored as runners-up for the Newbery Medal, a top award for children's literature: Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room.
Personal Life and Hobbies
In 1971, Gary Paulsen married Ruth Wright, who is also an illustrator of children's books. He had three children. Even though he was a very successful author, Paulsen chose to live a simple life. He lived in various places in New Mexico, including Santa Fe and Tularosa. He also spent time living on a houseboat on the Pacific Ocean.
Love for Dog Sledding
Paulsen was a true outdoorsman who loved hunting and trapping. He owned a 40-acre piece of land in Alaska where he raised and trained sled dogs. He even competed in the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a very long and challenging dog sled race in Alaska. In 1983, he finished the race in 41st place. Although he had to stop dog sledding for a while due to health reasons, he later returned to it, showing his deep passion for the sport.
Death
Gary Paulsen passed away at his home in Tularosa, New Mexico, on October 13, 2021, at the age of 82. His stories continue to inspire young readers to explore the outdoors and face life's challenges with courage.
