Gary Paulsen

By Ashley Couch and Cassidy Sinlasath

Childhood • Born May 17, 1939 in

Minneapolis • Moved constantly as a child,

Father was in the army• Parents were alcoholics so he

was sent to live with relatives during his teenage years. • Supported himself during

school by being a newspaper boy and a pinsetter at a bowling alley.

Personal Life

• Attended Bemidji College for one year

• Served in the Army from 1959-1962• Has had 3 wives • Lives in New Mexico • Favorite Hobbies are Dog Trapping

Introduction to Books

• Was introduced to books when he walked into a library on a cold

winter day to warm up, and a librarian asked him if he wanted

a library card.

AwardsGary Paulsen has been awarded many

awards (around 50). His books have won and been nominated for state awards, including several books that have been recognized as Newberry Honor Books. Another prestigious award he’s received is the Children’s Book of the Year Award.

Writings

Over his many years of being an author he has written over 160 books and plays; including several book series.

He has written in the categories of juvenile fiction, juvenile nonfiction, fiction for adults, and numerous short stories and articles.

His works have been translated into German, Japanese, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Italian, Spanish, French, Swedish and Chinese.

The Car

Fourteen year old Terry Anders is abandoned by both of his parents. It’s summer, so he has nothing to do and is soon running out of food and can’t pay the house’s rent. To fix his dilemma, Terry decides to fix up an old car in the garage, and drive it around the country in search of an estranged uncle.

Woods Runner Samuel Smith, age 13, lives in the

woods with his parents. One day the British troops came in and captured his parents. On his journey to rescue them, he befriends a little girl Annie who follows him along. He also makes a new friend Abner that helps him get his parents back.

• Teenage Boys out on their own

• Independent • Adventurous

• In search for an uncle

• In search for his Parents

• Lives in Cleveland,

Oregon

• Lives in the woods of New York

The Car Woods Runner

• Goes on journeys with old

men

• Takes place in 1776• Takes place

present day • Historical Fiction

• Realistic Fiction