Michael Gerard Bauer facts for kids

Michael Gerard Bauer, born in 1955 in Brisbane, Australia, is a popular author who writes books for children and young adults. Before becoming a full-time writer, he used to be an English teacher.

About Michael Gerard Bauer

Michael Gerard Bauer grew up in Brisbane. He went to Marist College Ashgrove and then studied at the University of Queensland. After finishing his studies, he became a teacher. He taught Economics and English at high schools in Brisbane and Ipswich. In 2003, he won a short story competition at the Brisbane Writers Festival. This was a big step in his writing journey.

Michael Gerard Bauer still lives in Brisbane, Queensland. His first novel, The Running Man, was very popular. It won the 2005 CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers. This award is given by the Children's Book Council of Australia. The book was also named one of the top 10 books for young adults in 2004. In 2008, The Running Man won a special German award for promoting good values in children's books.

His Books and Awards

Michael Gerard Bauer has written many other books. Here are some of his well-known works:

• Don't Call Me Ishmael (2006)
• Ishmael and the Return of the Dugongs (2007)
• Dinosaur Knights (2008)
• You Turkeys (2009)
• Just a Dog (2010)
• Ishmael and the Hoops of Steel (2011)

The Ishmael Series

Don't Call Me Ishmael won several awards. These include the 2008 South Australian Festival Award for Literature and the 2007 Children's Peace Literature Award. It was also chosen for the White Ravens festival at the Bologna Book Fair in 2007. This festival highlights excellent children's books from around the world.

The next book in the series, Ishmael and the Return of the Dugongs, was named a Notable Book by the CBCA in 2008. The third book, Ishmael and the Hoops of Steel, came out in 2011. It was also recognized for awards, including the Children's Peace Literature Award.

Other Popular Books

Just a Dog was an Honour Book for the 2011 CBCA Book of the Year in the Younger Readers category. It also won the 2011 Queensland Premier's Literary Award.

In 2012, Michael Gerard Bauer started a new series for younger readers. The first book was Eric Vale Epic Fail. The next books were Eric Vale Super Male and Eric Vale Off the Rails, both published in 2013. His son, Joe Bauer, drew all the fun pictures for these comedy books.

Eric Vale Epic Fail won the Bilby Award in 2014, which is a children's choice award in Queensland. It was also a finalist for other awards chosen by young Australians. Eric Vale Off the Rails was even listed as one of the "50 Books You Can't Put Down" in 2013.

A spin-off series followed, featuring the character Secret Agent Derek 'Danger' Dale. These books include:

• Secret Agent Derek 'Danger' Dale The Case of Animals Behaving Really, REALLY Badly
• Secret Agent Derek 'Danger' Dale The Case of the Really, REALLY Scary Things
• Secret Agent Derek 'Danger' Dale The Case of the Really, REALLY Magnetic Magnet

In 2015, Eric Vale, Epic Fail was even turned into a musical for families!

Recent Works and Achievements

In 2016, Michael Gerard Bauer released a young adult comedy novel called The Pain, My Mother, Sir Tiffy, Cyber Boy & Me.

His first picture book, Rodney Loses It!, came out in 2018. It was illustrated by Chrissie Krebs. This book won the CBCA Book of the Year in the Early Childhood category. It also won the Speech Pathology Book of the Year award for ages 3 to 5.

Another young adult novel, The Things That Will Not Stand, was released in 2018. It won the 2019 Prime Minister's Literary Award for young adult literature. It was also chosen as a White Ravens Selection, recognizing it as an outstanding international youth book.

In 2018, Michael Gerard Bauer received a Queensland Writers Fellowship. This award helped him write a new young adult novel.

The sequel to his popular picture book, Rodney Forgets It!, was published in 2022.

In 2022, Michael Gerard Bauer received The Dame Annabelle Rankin Award. This award is given for important contributions to children's literature in Queensland.

Michael Gerard Bauer's books are enjoyed by readers all over the world. They have been translated into many languages, including Dutch, German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Chinese. His stories are sold in more than forty countries.