Jack Gantos

JACK GANTOS is the author of over fifty books for young readers of all ages from the “ROTTEN RALPH” picture books, collections of “JACK HENRY” short stories, upper elementary and middle school “JOEY PIGZA” and “NORVELT” novels, to middle school and young adult books— HOLE IN MY LIFE and THE TROUBLE IN ME. His work can lead readers from the cradle to the grave.

Mr. Gantos was a professor at Emerson College where he developed the Master’s Degree Program in Children’s Literature, Writing and Publishing. He now spends his time writing and is an active speaker at book and literacy conferences, and in schools and libraries around the world. His works have received a Newbery Award, Scott O’Dell Award, Newbery Honor, Printz Honor, Sibert Honor, he was a finalist for a National Book Award, and he is the recipient of the NCTE/ALAN AWARD for his contribution to the field of Young Adult and Children’s Literature.

DEAD END IN NORVELT received both the 2012 John Newbery Award and the Scott O’Dell award for Historic Fiction. His highly regarded book on writing for young writers is titled: READING RADAR: Using Your Journal to Snoop Out and Craft Great Stories. In September of 2018 an Original Audible book, THE DENTED HEAD OF JOEY PIGZA, was released. A PAIN IN THE PIGZA, also an Original Audible, will be released in the spring of 2019. THE MISSING HALF OF JOEY PIGZA, Original Audible, will be released in the fall of 2019. He is presently writing a middle grade novel tentatively titled, “The Club of Odd Noses”.

A few of Jack’s books