Rainer M. Schröder facts for kids

Rainer Maria Schröder (born 3 January 1951 in Rostock) is a German author who writes exciting books for young people and adults. He writes adventure fiction for kids, and mystery thrillers and historical novels for older readers. Sometimes, he uses other names like Ashley Carrington or Raymond M. Sheridan for his books.

So far, over 6 million copies of his books have been sold! Rainer Maria Schröder has won many awards for his writing. In 1988, he received the Friedrich-Gerstäcker-Preis for his historical novel Abby Lynn – Verbannt ans Ende der Welt. Later, in 1998, his novel Unter dem Jacarandabaum was chosen by the Federal Agency for Civic Education as one of the top 100 novels of the 20th century. That same year, he won the 3rd International Eifel-Literaturpreis for Das Geheimnis der weißen Mönche.

His book Das Geheimnis des Kartenmachers won two awards in 2003: the Literature Award of the Youth Book Jury Moers and the "Book of the Month" award from the Youth Book committee Göttingen. In 2005, he received the famous youth book award Buxtehude Bull for his novel Die Lagune der Galeeren. Rainer Maria Schröder's books have been translated into more than 12 languages, including French, Spanish, Japanese, and Russian.

Rainer Maria Schröder's Early Life

Rainer Maria Schröder grew up in East Berlin. Just before the Berlin Wall was built, he and his family moved to West Germany. For their first year there, they lived in a camp. Later, they moved to Dortmund and then Düsseldorf. In Düsseldorf, Schröder finished school and studied opera singing. He also played guitar in a rock band called Union Jack.

His father, who was a doctor, wanted him to have a career in academics. So, after two years of training to be an officer in the German Air Force, Schröder worked as a trainee for a newspaper called Rheinische Post. In 1974, he started studying Law at the University of Cologne. He also studied German language, theater, film, and television. He wrote articles for different newspapers and a radio station called WDR.

In 1975, a publisher named Franz Schneider Verlag bought his first novel for young people, In die Falle gelaufen. After this, Schröder decided to leave university and become a full-time writer.

Becoming a Full-Time Author

After his first book, other publishers like Stalling and Heyne Verlag started publishing his novels. In 1977, he also started writing plays. Schröder worked as an editor for nine months before becoming a full-time author. In 1980, he and his wife, Helga, moved to a farm in the south of Virginia near Smith Mountain Lake.

Rainer M. Schröder has also written non-fiction books about music. For example, he wrote a book about the band The Scorpions in 1980. Schröder is friends with the band and even traveled with them on tours in France, England, and California. He also spent several weeks with them in the recording studio.

Schröder loves to travel. He often collects ideas and information for his adventure novels during his trips. Today, he lives in Palm Coast in Florida.

What Kinds of Books Does He Write?

Many of Rainer Maria Schröder's novels are set in the past, usually between the years 1100 and 1900. Some examples include Das Geheimnis des Kartenmachers, Das Vermächtnis des alten Pilgers, and Das Kloster der Ketzer.

However, some of his books are set during and around World War II, like Die lange Reise des Jakob Stern. He also wrote a two-part science-fiction novel called Liberty 9, which was a new type of story for him. Schröder also writes the Kommissar Klicker series, which are popular books and audiobooks for young people.

Awards and Recognitions

Rainer Maria Schröder has received many awards for his books:

• 1984: Silbernes Schneider-Buch from Franz-Schneider Verlag
• 1988: Friedrich-Gerstäcker-Preis for Abby-Lynn – Verbannt ans Ende der Welt
• 1993: Goldenes Schneider-Buch from Franz-Schneider Verlag
• 1998: 3rd International Eifel-Literaturpreis for Das Geheimnis der weißen Mönche
• 1998: Book of the Month – Prize for Mein Feuer brennt im Land der fallenden Wasser from the Deutschen Akademie für Kinder- und Jugendbücher
• 1999: JuBu Buch des Monats for Felix Faber – übers Meer und durch die Wildnis
• 2003: Moerser Jugendbuchpreis for Das Geheimnis des Kartenmachers
• 2003: Book of the Month – Prize for Das Geheimnis des Kartenmachers from the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Jugendbuch Göttingen
• 2004: Buxtehude Bull for Die Lagune der Galeeren
• 2016: Spandauer Jugendliteraturpreis for Himmel ohne Sterne

Images for kids

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  The Buxtehude Bull award