Born May 17, 1939, Gary Paulsen is one of America's most popular writers for young people. Although he was never a dedicated student, Paulsen developed a passion for reading at an early age. After a librarian gave him a book to read -- along with his own library card -- he was hooked. He began spending hours alone in the basement of his apartment building, reading one book after another. Gary Paulsen has received great acclaim and many awards for his novels written for young people. Hatchet and its sequel, Hatchet: The Return, are among his best-known works.He has sailed the Pacific and competed in the gruelling 1,049 mile Iditarod dog-sled race across Alaska. He lives with his family in New Mexico, USA.