KRKB
Gordon Korman
Author Profile

Gordon Korman

61 Books
Gordon Korman is a prolific Canadian author celebrated for his engaging and often humorous books for middle grade and young adult readers. Known for creating relatable characters and diverse storylines, his works range from the high-stakes adventures in his popular "Swindle" series, which includes "Zoobreak" and "Framed," to thought-provoking narratives like "Restart," "Pop," and "Hope Wins." He has captivated audiences with over 100 titles, consistently delivering entertaining and meaningful stories.
Masterminds

Criminal Destiny: Book 2

Gordon Korman

Action Adventure
- /5
Ungifted

Hypergifted

Gordon Korman

Action Animals
- /5

The Juvie Three

Gordon Korman

Action Fiction
- /5

Radio Fifth Grade

Gordon Korman

Friendship Humor
- /5
Masterminds

Masterminds

Gordon Korman

Action Mystery
- /5

Don't Care High

Gordon Korman

Fiction Humor
- /5
Island

Survival

Gordon Korman

Action Adventure
- /5

Faker

Gordon Korman

Adventure Family
- /5
Slapshots

Cup Crazy

Gordon Korman

Fiction Humor
- /5
Macdonald Hall

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall!

Gordon Korman

Fiction Friendship
- /5
Kidnapped

The Abduction: Book 1

Gordon Korman

Action Adventure
- /5

The Twinkie Squad

Gordon Korman

Friendship Humor
- /5
Swindle

Hideout: Book 5

Gordon Korman

Animals Dogs
- /5
Kidnapped

The Rescue: Book 3

Gordon Korman

Action Adventure
- /5

Schooled

Gordon Korman

Humor Kindness
- /5

The Unteachables

Gordon Korman

Friendship Humor
- /5
The 39 Clues

One False Note: A Graphic Novel, Book 2

Gordon Korman, Hannah Templer

Action Adventure
- /5
The 39 Clues

Vespers Rising

Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson, Gordon Korman

Action Adventure
- /5
Guys Read

The Sports Pages

Jacqueline Woodson, Jon Scieszka, Dan Gutman, Anne Ursu, Tim Green, Joseph Bruchac, Gordon Korman, Chris Rylander

Action Anthologies
- /5

Hope Wins: A Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers

Sarah Mlynowski, Stuart Gibbs, Max Brallier, Julie Buxbaum, Pablo Cartaya, J.C. Cervantes, Rex Ogle, Matt de la Peña, Adam Gidwitz, Veera Hiranandani, Hena Khan, Gordon Korman, Rose Brock, Tom Angleberger

Anthologies Emotions
- /5

Our Story Begins: Your Favorite Authors and Illustrators Share Fun, Inspiring, and Occasionally Ridiculous Things They Wrote and Drew as Kids

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Linda Sue Park, Elissa Brent Weissman, Brian Selznick, Kwame Alexander, Rita Williams-Garcia, Chris Grabenstein, Grace Lin, Peter Lerangis, Gail Carson Levine, Tom Angleberger, Kathi Appelt, Ashley Bryan, Tim Federle, Candace Fleming, Marla Frazee, Chris Gall, Alex Gino, Gordon Korman, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Thanhha Lai, Yuyi Morales, R. J. Palacio, Dan Santat, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Eric Rohmann

Anthologies Biography
- /5
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Masterminds

Criminal Destiny

Book 2

By: Gordon Korman
Imagine discovering that your entire life is a lie, and you were actually created as part of a twisted sociological experiment. A group of kids from a seemingly perfect town have just learned the terrifying truth: they are the genetic clones of the most notorious criminal masterminds in history. Now, they are on the run from the ruthless organization that created them. You are thrust into a relentless, cross country chase as these teenagers try to stay one step ahead of their pursuers while struggling with their own dark DNA. They must find a way to expose Project Osiris to the rest of the world before they are captured and silenced forever. You will question everything about nature versus nurture as these fugitives fight to prove they are more than just their criminal origins. It is a heart pounding adventure full of shocking betrayals, daring escapes, and a desperate search for identity.
Action Adventure Fiction Science Fiction
9-12 Years 327 Pages
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Ungifted

Hypergifted

By: Gordon Korman
Twelve year old genius Noah Youkilis is about to face his biggest academic challenge yet. Instead of heading into a normal year of high school, he has been accepted into the prestigious Wilderton University. Noah is terrified of jumping straight into college and leaving his childhood behind. Luckily, the university allows him to bring a friend along for the summer session. Donovan Curtis was looking forward to a lazy summer of doing absolutely nothing. Instead, he finds himself on a college campus, tasked with working as a summer camp counselor for the professors' kids while keeping an eye on his super smart best friend. Noah is desperate to fit in with the older students and decides his best option is joining a top secret campus society. To earn his spot, Noah enlists Donovan's help to pull off a wild stunt: smuggling a two hundred pound pig named Porquette into their dorm room. Between hiding a massive farm animal, managing a rogue artificial intelligence program, and wrangling a group of energetic campers, this duo is in for the most chaotic and hilarious summer of their lives.
Action Animals Friendship Humor
9-12 Years 272 Pages
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By: Gordon Korman
Gecko Fosse drove the getaway car. Terence Florian ran with the worst gang in the city. Arjay Moran made a terrible mistake that cost someone their life. All three boys are locked up in juvenile detention, staring down a bleak future. Then comes Douglas Healy. A former troublemaker himself, Healy gives the boys an unbelievable second chance by bringing them to his experimental halfway house in New York City. Things are finally looking up until a late-night scuffle goes horribly wrong. Healy gets knocked unconscious, and the terrified boys drop him at the hospital and flee. When Healy wakes up, he has completely lost his memory. He does not remember the boys or the halfway house. Now, Gecko, Terence, and Arjay face their ultimate test. To avoid being sent back to detention, they must hatch a daring plan. They decide to run the halfway house on their own, attending school, doing community service, and acting like model citizens until their leader recovers. But keeping a secret this massive is incredibly difficult. As you follow their desperate cover-up, you will wonder if three rule-breakers can truly change their ways, or if their final chance will slip through their fingers forever.
Action Fiction Friendship Problem Solving
9-12 Years 249 Pages
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By: Gordon Korman
Benjy Driver is the proud star of his elementary school radio program. There is just one minor problem: hardly anybody actually tunes in to listen. Even bringing a live parrot onto the broadcast has not helped boost their terrible ratings. Benjy is desperate to find a way to make the show a massive hit. Things go from bad to worse when the biggest bully in the fifth grade decides he wants to be a regular guest on the air. Then, the class gets a brand new teacher who starts handing out incredibly strange trivia questions for their weekend homework. Suddenly, Benjy has a brilliant idea. He creates a weekend radio quiz program using the teacher's exact homework questions. Almost overnight, the entire grade is tuning in to get the answers, and Benjy is finally a broadcasting superstar. But keeping the show running is going to take some serious creativity. He has to manage a school bully, keep his squawking parrot under control, and make sure his new teacher never discovers where he is getting his material. Mayhem is about to hit the airwaves!
Friendship Humor Problem Solving Schools
9-12 Years 192 Pages
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Masterminds

Masterminds

By: Gordon Korman
Eli Frieden lives in what appears to be the most perfect town on the planet. In Serenity, New Mexico, every lawn is flawlessly green, every family seems completely happy, and crime simply does not exist. Honesty is the most valued trait in town, and the local kids know that breaking the rules is unthinkable. Eli has never stepped foot outside the city limits, and he has never had a single reason to want to leave. But everything shatters the day Eli decides to ride his bike out to the edge of town. A bizarre and incredibly dangerous physical reaction hits him, preventing him from crossing the border. Suddenly suspicious of his perfect surroundings, Eli convinces his closest friends to start digging into the town's history. What they uncover is a shocking and deeply terrifying secret. Their ideal community is entirely fake, and it is directly connected to some of the most dangerous criminal masterminds in history. Realizing they have been lied to their entire lives, the kids face a horrifying truth: they cannot even trust their own parents. Now, they must plot the ultimate escape.
Action Mystery Science Fiction
9-12 Years 352 Pages
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By: Gordon Korman
Moving to New York City is supposed to be an exciting adventure, but Paul quickly realizes his new reality is completely underwhelming. He finds himself stuck at a school famously nicknamed Don't Care High, where the entire student body is totally apathetic and completely detached from anything resembling school spirit. Nobody cares about grades, sports, or clubs, and Paul is struggling to adjust to the overwhelming indifference. Refusing to spend his high school years in a state of absolute boredom, Paul decides to shake things up. He hatches a clever plan to manipulate a newly elected Student Council president into accidentally sparking a massive wave of enthusiasm. Before long, the halls are buzzing with chaotic energy and unexpected drama. You will laugh out loud as Paul orchestrates a hilarious rebellion against teenage apathy, proving that sometimes it takes just one dedicated troublemaker to wake up an entire school.
Fiction Humor
13-18 Years 260 Pages
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Island

Survival

By: Gordon Korman
Six kids have just been forced onto a small ship for a month long journey across the Pacific Ocean, and none of them want to be there. Luke is avoiding a juvenile detention facility, while Will and Lyssa are constantly bickering siblings whose parents want them to learn to get along. J.J. is a Hollywood prankster, Ian is completely addicted to television, and Charla is suffering from intense athletic burnout. This group of total opposites cannot agree on anything, but their personal problems are quickly overshadowed by a terrifying disaster. A vicious, unexpected storm tears through the ocean, leading to a catastrophic shipwreck that destroys their vessel. Suddenly, the voyage meant to teach them discipline becomes a desperate fight for their lives. Stranded in the vast expanse of the ocean, the kids are left with no food, no fresh water, and almost zero hope of being rescued. If they want to make it out alive, they have to stop fighting and learn how to rely on one another. Can these six castaways conquer the elements and their own fears, or will the deep waters claim them forever?
Action Adventure Teamwork
9-12 Years 148 Pages
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By: Gordon Korman
Imagine having to pack up your entire life and run away just when you finally make a best friend. For Trey, this is just a normal Tuesday. His dad is a professional con artist, and Trey knows the drill perfectly. First, his dad enrolls him in a fancy new school filled with wealthy kids. Then, Trey makes friends so his dad can meet the rich parents and trick them into investing in a fake business. Once the money is safely in the bank, Trey, his sister, and their dad disappear into the night to start the scam all over again. His father promises that no one actually gets hurt, but Trey is starting to feel the heavy weight of all those lies. He is tired of constantly running and wishes he could just keep a friend for longer than a few months. As you follow Trey's thrilling and emotional journey, you will watch him struggle to break free from his family's criminal traditions. How do you convince your own family to stop lying when your entire life depends on it?
Adventure Family Friendship Honesty Mystery
9-12 Years 224 Pages
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Slapshots

Cup Crazy

By: Gordon Korman
The Stars from Mars are ready to hit the ice, but a terrible rumor is threatening to ruin their entire hockey season. Happer Feldman, one of the sneakiest and most annoying players in the Waterloo Slapshot League, has just made a bold prediction. He claims that the Mars team is cursed and will absolutely never get to touch the championship trophy cup. Almost immediately, his prediction seems to be coming true. Everything that could possibly go wrong for the Stars starts happening. Pucks bounce the wrong way, weird accidents happen on the rink, and the team's luck completely dries up. Now, the players have to figure out how to shake off this sudden streak of misfortune. As you lace up your skates and join the team, you will experience the fast-paced thrills and hilarious mishaps of junior hockey. The Stars must pull together, practice harder than ever, and prove that hard work beats silly superstitions. Will they find a way to break the curse, defeat their biggest rivals, and finally lift the trophy they have been dreaming of?
Fiction Humor Sports Teamwork
9-12 Years 160 Pages
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By: Gordon Korman
Bruno and Boots are the ultimate pranksters at Macdonald Hall, and their hilarious antics have finally pushed the Headmaster too far. Known as The Fish, the strict principal decides the only way to restore order is to separate the troublemaking duo once and for all. Now, Bruno is forced to share a room with Elmer Dimsdale, a quirky boy who keeps plants, goldfish, and an ant farm. Meanwhile, Boots is stuck with George Wexford-Smyth the Third, a paranoid and preppy student who cannot stand mess. This separation is totally unacceptable, and it means absolute war. You will follow Bruno and Boots as they launch a series of outrageous, laugh out loud schemes to force The Fish to give them their old room back. Their desperate attempts to reunite will turn the entire boarding school upside down in a classic story of friendship and mischief.
Fiction Friendship Humor Schools
9-12 Years 108 Pages
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Kidnapped

The Abduction

Book 1

By: Gordon Korman
You are walking home from school when a van suddenly pulls over. In a flash, your sister is pulled inside and vanishes down the street. Aiden experiences every sibling's worst nightmare when his sister Meg is kidnapped right in front of his eyes. As the only witness to the crime, he is left with terrifying questions. Why was she taken? Was it for a random ransom, or is there a much larger, darker conspiracy targeting their family? While Meg desperately tries to outsmart her captors and plot a daring escape, Aiden realizes he cannot just sit back and wait. He teams up with the FBI to track down subtle clues that only a brother would ever notice. You will be on the edge of your seat as the clock ticks down in this high-stakes rescue mission. Every second counts, and the danger only grows the closer Aiden gets to uncovering the truth.
Action Adventure Family Fiction Mystery
9-12 Years 111 Pages
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By: Gordon Korman
Douglas Fairchild is not your average sixth grader. After being kicked out of a long list of private schools, this eccentric and highly unusual kid finally lands at Thaddeus G. Little Middle School. It does not take long for his unique personality to cause total chaos in the hallways. Thanks to his wild behavior, Douglas is quickly assigned to a special counseling group for problem students. The rest of the school cruelly refers to this group as the Twinkie Squad. It is a collection of outcasts and misfits who never quite fit in anywhere else. But Douglas sees an opportunity where others see a punishment. With his unstoppable imagination and a talent for bending the rules, he decides to completely transform the group. Under his unpredictable leadership, this band of quirky students begins to turn the social order of the school completely upside down. Soon, being part of the Twinkie Squad is no longer a joke. It becomes the most desirable and mysterious club on campus. Get ready for a hilarious underdog story about friendship, school drama, and proving that being different is actually your greatest strength.
Friendship Humor Schools
9-12 Years 208 Pages
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Swindle

Hideout

Book 5

By: Gordon Korman
Griffin Bing and his fiercely loyal crew thought they had finally defeated the slimy con artist known as Swindle. They successfully rescued Luthor, a massive and misunderstood attack dog, and gave him a loving home with Savannah Drysdale. But Swindle is back in town, and he has legally manipulated the system to reclaim the giant dog for himself. There is absolutely no way the team is going to let Luthor return to a life of misery. Before the authorities can take the dog away, Griffin formulates a desperate plan to make him completely disappear. You will join the chaotic adventure as six resourceful kids try to safely smuggle one incredibly large and highly recognizable dog between three different secret hideouts. You will laugh out loud as they dodge suspicious adults and narrow escapes in a wild game of hide and seek. What could possibly go wrong when a giant canine is on the run?
Animals Dogs Fiction Friendship Humor Teamwork
9-12 Years 244 Pages
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Kidnapped

The Rescue

Book 3

By: Gordon Korman
The desperate search for Meg Falconer has reached its boiling point. Aiden Falconer and FBI Agent Harris are finally closing in on the dangerous people who kidnapped his sister. They have tracked down the clues and are ready to strike, but there is one massive complication. Meg is not waiting around to be rescued. Determined to save herself, Meg is actively trying to escape her captors on her own. Her bold moves mean she is never in the location the FBI expects her to be, completely throwing off the rescue operation. As the tension mounts and the authorities tighten their net around the criminals, the situation becomes incredibly unstable. The kidnappers are cornered, and it is clear they are not going down without a vicious fight. In this thrilling conclusion to the adventure, you will race alongside Aiden as he risks everything to find his sister. Before, Meg was the only one in severe danger. Now, with the rescue plan falling apart and the criminals acting out of pure desperation, both siblings find themselves in grave peril. They must use all their courage to survive the final showdown.
Action Adventure Family Fiction Mystery
9-12 Years 144 Pages
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By: Gordon Korman
Capricorn Anderson has lived a life completely separate from the modern world. Raised on an isolated farm commune by his hippie grandmother, Cap has never watched television, tasted a slice of pizza, or dealt with the terrifying social jungle of a public school. He knows everything about tie dye and Zen meditation, but nothing about fitting in. When his grandmother is unexpectedly hospitalized, Cap is forced to leave the only home he has ever known. He moves in with a local guidance counselor and must navigate the chaotic hallways of Claverage Middle School. With his long hair, handmade clothes, and peaceful attitude, Cap immediately becomes the ultimate target for the school bullies. The popular kids quickly put their favorite prank into motion: nominating the biggest nerd in school to be the eighth grade president. They expect Cap to fail miserably and become the ultimate punchline. But Cap's gentle honesty and absolute kindness begin to have a strange effect on the student body. Will this sheltered outsider sink under the pressure, or will he accidentally change the entire school for the better?
Humor Kindness Schools
9-12 Years 228 Pages
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By: Gordon Korman
The students of Room 117 are officially known as the Unteachables. This notorious class is a wayward mix of misfits, rule breakers, and academic disasters. There is Aldo, who has serious anger issues, and Parker, who struggles to read. Then there is Kiana, who never even officially registered for the school. They have been completely isolated from the rest of the student body and written off by the entire administration. Their new teacher, Mr. Zachary Kermit, is the perfect match for this chaotic room. Once a rising star in the district, Mr. Kermit was broken by a massive cheating scandal years ago. Now, he is the most burned out teacher in the building, just trying to quietly survive his final year before early retirement. The superintendent is hoping this disastrous class will finally force him to quit. The Unteachables never thought they would meet an adult with a worse attitude than their own. But as this unusual group spends the year together, they begin to surprise each other. Amidst the mayhem and hilarious destruction, this unlikely classroom of rejects might just find a shot at real redemption.
Friendship Humor Schools
9-12 Years 288 Pages
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The 39 Clues

One False Note

A Graphic Novel, Book 2

By: Gordon Korman , Hannah Templer
Amy and Dan Cahill have already made the absolute biggest decision of their entire lives. They walked away from a guaranteed million dollars to join a secretive, incredibly dangerous global competition to hunt down the 39 Clues. After barely escaping their first mission in Paris with their lives, the siblings are now on the run and headed straight for Vienna, Austria. This time, the clues are pointing toward their famous ancestor, the legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. But to uncover the truth, Amy and Dan must dig into the long-buried secrets connected to his equally talented but completely overlooked sister, Nannerl. The search leads them on a wild chase through historic concert halls, dark underground tunnels, and beautiful palaces. Brought to life in an action-packed graphic novel format, you will feel the intense rush as Amy and Dan try to stay one step ahead of their ruthless, power-hungry relatives. With dangerous enemies closing in from every side, the brother and sister must decide exactly how much they are willing to risk to find the next clue, and who they can actually trust.
Action Adventure Family Fiction Graphic Novels
9-12 Years 192 Pages
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The 39 Clues

Vespers Rising

By: Rick Riordan , Peter Lerangis , Jude Watson , Gordon Korman
The Cahill family has guarded the world's greatest secrets for centuries, believing their search for the Clues was a private family matter. They were wrong. While Amy and Dan have been racing around the globe, a shadowy and ruthless organization known as the Vespers has been watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Now, the Vespers are stepping out of the darkness, and they are ready to seize control. The world as you know it is about to change forever. Uncover the hidden history of the Cahills and their ancient enemies in this thrilling continuation of the 39 Clues saga. You will discover the truth behind the original Cahill ancestors and learn about the final, dangerous legacy Grace Cahill left behind for her grandchildren. The race for power has never been more perilous, and the stakes have never been higher.
Action Adventure Fiction Mystery
9-12 Years 240 Pages
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By: Jacqueline Woodson , Jon Scieszka , Dan Gutman , Anne Ursu , Tim Green , Joseph Bruchac , Gordon Korman , Chris Rylander
Step up to the plate, hit the court, and race to the finish line with this ultimate collection of athletic adventures. Curated by Jon Scieszka, this action-packed anthology brings together ten thrilling short stories written by some of the biggest names in children's literature, including Gordon Korman, Jacqueline Woodson, and Dan Gutman. Whether you are a die-hard fan of baseball, basketball, football, or even mixed martial arts, there is a story here to get your heart pounding. Experience the intense pressure of a tie game, the rush of scoring the winning goal, and the quiet determination it takes to push past your own limits. Each unique tale captures the highs and lows of competition, the power of teamwork, and the sheer joy of playing the game. Perfect for young athletes and sports enthusiasts, these fast-paced stories deliver all the sweat, strategy, and triumph of a championship match. Grab your gear and dive into a book where every page is a winning play.
Action Anthologies Humor Short Stories Sports
6-8 Years 9-12 Years 256 Pages
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A Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers

By: Sarah Mlynowski , Stuart Gibbs , Max Brallier , Julie Buxbaum , Pablo Cartaya , J.C. Cervantes , Rex Ogle , Matt de la Peña , Adam Gidwitz , Veera Hiranandani , Hena Khan , Gordon Korman , Rose Brock , Tom Angleberger
Have you ever wondered where to find hope, especially when things feel a little tough? This special book brings together many amazing writers, like Matt de la Peña and R.L. Stine, to share their own true stories and thoughts about where hope comes from and how it helps us. You'll discover that hope can be found all around you! It might be in your loving family, with your good friends, at your school, or even deep inside your own heart. Journey through tales about a cozy family restaurant, a fun car shaped like a hot dog, or happy holiday times in a classroom. Each story reminds you that no matter what challenges you face, hope is always there to light the way. These inspiring messages show that even in the darkest moments, hope wins!
Anthologies Emotions Essays Family Non-Fiction
9-12 Years 208 Pages
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Your Favorite Authors and Illustrators Share Fun, Inspiring, and Occasionally Ridiculous Things They Wrote and Drew as Kids

By: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor , Linda Sue Park , Elissa Brent Weissman , Brian Selznick , Kwame Alexander , Rita Williams-Garcia , Chris Grabenstein , Grace Lin , Peter Lerangis , Gail Carson Levine , Tom Angleberger , Kathi Appelt , Ashley Bryan , Tim Federle , Candace Fleming , Marla Frazee , Chris Gall , Alex Gino , Gordon Korman , Jarrett J. Krosoczka , Thanhha Lai , Yuyi Morales , R. J. Palacio , Dan Santat , Cynthia Leitich Smith , Eric Rohmann
Have you ever wondered what your favorite authors and illustrators were like before they became famous? Every great storyteller has to start somewhere, and the journey is rarely perfect. This unique and deeply inspiring collection pulls back the curtain on the childhoods of some of today's most beloved creators. Before they were winning massive awards and topping the bestseller lists, these brilliant artists were just regular kids trying to find their creative voices. You will discover the very early, sometimes embarrassing, and always fascinating works of celebrated writers and artists. Read a third grade writing assignment that sparked a lifelong passion, explore the early sketches of a future illustrator, and see the discarded drafts that eventually turned into brilliant poetry. This collection reveals the failures, the rough drafts, and the vital moments of encouragement that helped shape these incredible minds. It is a powerful reminder that creativity takes practice and patience. Whether you love writing, drawing, or just a good story, these vulnerable and smart childhood memories will inspire you to pick up a pencil and start creating your own masterpiece.
Anthologies Biography Creativity Essays Non-Fiction
9-12 Years 208 Pages
N/A /5
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