Gary could no longer handle his home life and ran away at age 14 to work with a carnival. This began his life of many adventures. Paulsen worked many different types of jobs to support himself and these added to his experiences. Paulsen also spent many hours as an outdoorsman. Paulsen says that he actually enjoyed writing about these experiences as much as, if not even more than, he enjoyed having them. (randomhousekids.com)
Gary is passionate about whatever he does. For a couple of years he raised sled dogs and raced the Iditarod but had to stop when he suffered some heart issues. Employing the same intensity with which he raised and trained his dogs, Paulsen began to write. Paulsen sometimes spends 20 hours a day writing, it has become a huge part of who he is. Gary writes constantly, no matter where he is or what he is doing. Not only does he have a passion for writing, he also has a passion for young people.
My favorite thing about Gary Paulsen can be summed up in this quote from randomhousekids.com:
"It is Paulsen’s overwhelming belief in young people that drives him to write. His intense desire to tap deeply into the human spirit and to encourage readers to observe and care about the world around them has brought him both enormous popularity with young people and critical acclaim from the children’s book community."
In reading Paulsen's books, it is evident that this quote is true. I have read most of the Brian series and the themes of forgiveness, intestinal fortitude, taking responsibility for your own actions and respect for man and nature are evident. These traits are essential to a person living with selflessness and integrity. I think this, along with the suspense of the adventures are what draw me back to read more and more of what Mr. Paulsen has to offer.
His passion for writing, respect for man and nature and desire to share these with others has given Gary Paulsen much success. He has published over 175 books and 200 short stories and articles. Three of his books, Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room are winners of the Newbery Award (randomhousekids.com). I am looking forward to reading more of his books in the future.
My favorite thing about Gary Paulsen can be summed up in this quote from randomhousekids.com:
"It is Paulsen’s overwhelming belief in young people that drives him to write. His intense desire to tap deeply into the human spirit and to encourage readers to observe and care about the world around them has brought him both enormous popularity with young people and critical acclaim from the children’s book community."
In reading Paulsen's books, it is evident that this quote is true. I have read most of the Brian series and the themes of forgiveness, intestinal fortitude, taking responsibility for your own actions and respect for man and nature are evident. These traits are essential to a person living with selflessness and integrity. I think this, along with the suspense of the adventures are what draw me back to read more and more of what Mr. Paulsen has to offer.
His passion for writing, respect for man and nature and desire to share these with others has given Gary Paulsen much success. He has published over 175 books and 200 short stories and articles. Three of his books, Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room are winners of the Newbery Award (randomhousekids.com). I am looking forward to reading more of his books in the future.
Sources:
Internet Public Library
Rutgers
RandomHouseKids.com
Teacher Resources:
Lesson Plans
WebEnglishTeacher ($)
Learning NC
Teaching Imagery-Scholastic
Meet Gary Paulsen-Scholastic
Creative Apple-great ideas!
Visualization Activity
Many other resources on Teachers Pay Teachers and Teaching Books.net ($)
Curricular Connections
Class Zone-several cross-curricular choices
WritingFix-writing (voice, word choice)
Novelinks-excellent ideas for incorporating native American studies, etc.
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