Gary Paulsen Accomplishments

Gary Paulsen once said, “School didn't work for me. I hated it.” This shows that even someone as well known as Gary Paulsen had trouble in school. Paulsen gives hope to the kids who aren’t doing well in school. Paulsen is a well known youth author. After taking a look at the life and work of Gary Paulsen, it is apparent that this writer deserves recognition as a profound American author. Gary Paulsen, born May 17, 1939, was a kid who wasn’t very smart in school. When Gary Paulsen didn’t pass 9th grade, he set the standard for his educational career. (Author Page). He had a hard time in high school as well. With a D average in high school, Paulsen barely passed. (Author Page). Gary Paulsen was very adventurous as a child. Paulsen had many challenges in his life, especially when it comes to home life.

Paulsen ran away at the age of 14 and worked for some farmers on a sugar beet farm (Gary Paulsen). Gary Paulsen also served in the military, drove truck, was a field engineer, and edited a magazine (LEARNING ABOUT GARY PAULSEN). All of these jobs helped him to incorporate adventure into his writing. Even with all of these jobs, he still had something even more adventurous that influenced his writing. He competed twice in the 1049 mile dog sled race known as the Iditarod (Gary Paulsen). It is definitely apparent that Gary Paulsen had an adventurous childhood. Gary Paulsen published many different books. In between books, Gary Paulsen wrote two plays (LEARNING ABOUT GARY PAULSEN). Gary Paulsen started his writing in the 1960s. His first book, “The Special War”, was published in 1966 by Surkay (LEARNING ABOUT GARY PAULSEN). His three books Winter Room, Dogsong, and Hatchet are famous with teens all over the world. He definitely has made his mark in the literary