Gary Paulsen, a favorite among younger readers, was born on May 17th in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up with his grandmother and aunts. As a young child, Paulsen became hooked on reading. You could often find him at the library or hiding in the basement reading a good book. However, if you didn’t find him there, you would surely find him outside having an adventure.

After several jobs as an engineer, construction worker, ranch-hand, truck driver, sailor, and a dog sled racer, he finally decided to become a writer. One night after a long day’s work as a satellite technician, he decided that would be his last and never returned. Paulsen traveled to Hollywood for a year and proofread magazines. He escaped the busy life and moved back to Minnesota, rented a cabin, and began writing his first novel.

While in the Minnesotan wilderness, Paulsen took up the sport of dog sledding. Tragically, however, he suffered an angina attack after his second time competing in the Iditarod, forcing him to give up the sport. As a result, he then became focused on his writing.

Gary Paulsen has written many adventure books that leave kids of all ages starving for more. Three of his books were Newbery Honor books, Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room. You could, and still will, find the rest of his books at the top of bestselling lists.

Paulsen married Ruth Wright Paulsen, a talented artist who has even illustrated some of his books. Today, you can find the adventurous couple at their home in New Mexico or exploring the Pacific on their boat.

The Legend of Bass Reeves
Wendy Lamb Books, August 2006
ISBN 978-0-385-74661-8

Born into slavery, Bass Reeves became the most successful US Marshal of the Wild West.
Many "heroic lawmen" of the Wild West, familiar to us through television and film, were actually violent scoundrels and outlaws themselves. But of all the sheriffs of the frontier, one man stands out as a true hero: Bass Reeves.

He was the most successful Federal Marshal in the US in his day. True to the mythical code of the West, he never drew his gun first. He brought hundreds of fugitives to justice, was shot at countless times, and never hit.

Bass Reeves was a black man, born into slavery. And though the laws of his country enslaved him and his mother, when he became a free man he served the law, with such courage and honor that he became a legend.

The Time Hackers
Yearling, August 2006
ages 9-12, ISBN 978-0-553-48788-6

Seventh-grader Dorso Clayman opens his locker door to find a dead body. Thirty seconds later it disappears. It's not the first bizarre thing that has appeared in his locker and then vanished. Something's going on.

The Amazing Life of Birds
Wendy Lamb Books, June 2006
young adult, ISBN 978-0-385-74660-1

Zit monster.
Puberty Werewolf.
Potty Boy.
Doo Doo Rules!
I’m Duane. Duane Homer Leech. Don’t ask.
I’m 12. And one week. What I want to know is, where is this whole puberty thing going? So far it’s just something put on earth to destroy me.
And I don’t have a clue what’s coming next.

Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day
Yearling, February 2006
ages 4-8, ISBN 978-0-440-41482-7

Molly learns her wacky grandma was coming to spend the day at school with her. Now she's lost her notebook with everything that matters in it, including her homework; has a black eye; has torn her skirt. And it's only 9 a.m. Can things get any worse?

World of Adventure Omni
Yearling, February 2006
ages 9-12, ISBN 978-0-440-42123-8

In three stories—"Escape from Fire Mountain"; "Hook ’Em, Snotty!"; and "Danger on Midnight River"—the characters meet danger at every turn in the great outdoors and learn to face their fears head on. From a forest fire to a raging river to a scary bull named Diablo, the action doesn’t stop.

The Crossing
Scholastic, January 2006
ages 9-12, ISBN 978-0-439-78661-4

14-year-old Manny is an orphan in Juarez, Mexico. He competes with his bigger, meaner rivals for the coins American tourists throw off the bridge between Texas and his town. Across that heavily guarded bridge await a different world and a better existence.On the night when Manny dares the crossing—through the muddy shallows of the Rio Grande, past the searchlights and the border patrol—the young man encounters an old stranger who could prove to be an ally or an enemy. Manny can't tell for certain. But if he is to achieve his dream, then he must be willing to risk everything—even his life.

The Island
Children's Press, March 2004
ages 8-12, ISBN 978-0-516-27810-0

Fifteen-year-old Wil discovers himself and the wonders of nature when he leaves home to live on an island in northern Wisconsin.