Gary Paulsen was an American author of more than 200 books of children’s and young adult fiction. Born on May 17, 1939, Paulsen spent the early years of his life moving frequently due to his father’s position as a career army officer in the years surrounding World War II. Paulsen graduated from high school in 1957 and served in the US Army between 1959 and 1962, attaining the rank of sergeant. Paulsen’s first book, The Special War, was published in 1966, and in the following decades, Paulsen would go on to publish more than 200 books, with his best known being 1987’s Hatchet, the first in the Hatchet series of five novels and winner of the 1988 Newbery Honor. Paulsen passed away in 2021 at his home in New Mexico.

Paulsen’s works are known for their focus on coming-of-age stories set in the remote wilderness. Paulsen’s novels also frequently contend with survival and danger to young people, showing how through their grit and tenacity they can overcome the odds, as is demonstrated through both Coyote Runs and Brennan in Canyons. Paulsen is also noted as a dog sledder, once competing in the 1150-mile-long Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, placing 41st out of 54 finishers.