Biography of Alan Gratz

Alan Gratz is an American author of over seventeen young-adult novels.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Gratz grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. He studied creative writing and English at the University of Tennessee. After graduation, Gratz worked as a bookseller and a teacher before turning to writing full-time.

Gratz published his debut novel, Samurai Shortstop, in 2006, which was a finalist for the William C. Morris Award for best debut novel in young adult literature. Gratz has written several other highly acclaimed novels, including Prisoner B-3087, which is based on the true story of a Polish-Jewish boy who survived ten different concentration camps during the Holocaust, and Refugee, which follows the journeys of three young refugees from different parts of the world as they seek safety and a new home.

Gratz has been praised for his ability to tackle difficult subjects in a way that is both sensitive and thought-provoking. In addition to writing, Gratz is a popular speaker and presenter, known for presentations on the craft of writing, the power of literature, and the importance of storytelling. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with his wife and daughter.