James Patterson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Patterson
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Patterson in 2024
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| Born | James Brendan Patterson March 22, 1947 Newburgh, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Manhattan University (BA) Vanderbilt University (MA) |
| Genre | Mystery, young adult fiction, thriller, comedy, realistic fiction, romance, science fiction, fantasy |
| Notable works | Alex Cross series Women's Murder Club series Maximum Ride series Michael Bennett series Middle School series I Funny series |
| Spouse |
Susan Patterson
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 1 |
James Brendan Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is a famous American author known for writing exciting books for both adults and young readers. He has created many popular series, including Alex Cross, Maximum Ride, and Middle School.
Patterson is one of the best-selling authors of all time. His books have sold more than 425 million copies around the world. He was also the first author to sell one million e-books. Because of his success, he has earned many awards and uses his money to help people learn to love reading.
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Who Is James Patterson?
James Patterson was born in Newburgh, New York, on March 22, 1947. His mother, Isabelle, was a teacher and homemaker, and his father, Charles, was an insurance broker. He grew up in a working-class family with Irish roots.
For college, Patterson went to Manhattan University and graduated with top honors in English. He then earned a master's degree in English from Vanderbilt University.
A Career in Writing
Before becoming a full-time writer, Patterson worked in advertising. He retired from his advertising job in 1996 to focus completely on writing books. His first novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, was published in 1976.
Patterson is most famous for his books about the character Alex Cross. Alex Cross is a smart detective and psychologist who solves tough crimes. This series is one of the most popular detective series in the United States. Since 1976, Patterson has written over 200 novels. He holds a Guinness World Record for having the most #1 bestselling books on The New York Times list.
Writing for Young Readers
Many of Patterson's most loved books are written for kids and teens. He is the author of the Maximum Ride series, which is about a group of kids who are part-human and part-bird and can fly.
He also created the hilarious Middle School series, which follows the adventures of a boy named Rafe Khatchadorian as he tries to survive middle school. Other popular series for young people include I Funny and Witch & Wizard.
How Does He Write So Many Books?
One reason Patterson can write so many books is that he often works with co-authors. He comes up with the detailed plots and ideas for a story, and then another writer helps him write the chapters. He has said that working with others brings fresh and interesting ideas to his stories.
He has worked with many co-authors, including Maxine Paetro, Chris Grabenstein, and Kwame Alexander. He even co-wrote a thriller novel called The President Is Missing with former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Promoting Literacy
James Patterson cares deeply about reading and wants to help others, especially kids, discover the joy of books. In 2005, he started the James Patterson PageTurner Awards to give money to people and schools who found creative ways to get others excited about reading.
He also created the website ReadKiddoRead.com. The site helps parents and teachers find the perfect books for their children. This idea was inspired by his own son, who was not always excited about reading. Patterson has also given millions of dollars to school libraries, independent bookstores, and teacher education programs to support literacy.
Personal Life
James Patterson lives in Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife, Susan. They have one son named Jack.
In 2015, Patterson started the James Patterson Pledge with Scholastic Book Clubs. This program is dedicated to getting more books into the hands of young readers across the country.
Books on the Big Screen
Many of James Patterson's books have been turned into movies and TV shows. This allows fans to see their favorite characters and stories come to life.
Movies Based on His Books
- Kiss the Girls (1997): An early film based on the Alex Cross series.
- Along Came a Spider (2001): Another popular Alex Cross movie.
- Alex Cross (2012): A reboot of the Alex Cross film series.
- Maximum Ride (2016): A movie based on his popular young adult series.
- Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (2016): A film adaptation of his funny children's book.
Television Shows
- Women's Murder Club (2007–2008): A series based on his book series of the same name.
- Zoo (2015–2017): A show where animals around the world begin to act strangely.
- Instinct (2018–2019): A crime series based on one of his novels.
- Cross (2024): A new series about his famous detective, Alex Cross.
Patterson has also appeared as himself in a few TV shows, including the cartoon The Simpsons and the detective show Castle.
See also
In Spanish: James Patterson para niños
