Gary James Paulsen was an American author, acclaimed for his works of young adult and children’s literature. In a prolific writing career that spanned several decades, Paulsen authored over 200 books, as well as more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays. He received the American Library Association’s Margaret Edwards Award for a lifetime achievement in contributions to young adult literature in 1997. The association highlighted the theme of survival woven throughout many of his most influential books; especially Hatchet, which is often considered his best known and most enduring novel.

Paulsen was born in Minneapolis on May 17, 1939, to Oscar and Eunice Paulsen. His father, an officer in the army, left home to join General Patton’s staff soon after he was born. Paulsen didn’t see his father again until he was seven years old. Until then, Paulsen and his mother lived in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and Chicago, Illinois. He also lived with relatives on a farm for a year before World War II ended. In 1946, Paulsen and his mother sailed to the Philippines, where they joined his father and lived on the army base.