Gary Paulsen was born in 1939. He had a rough childhood, moving frequently with his parents or into homes of relatives. He was a poor student (he flunked ninth grade). As a teenager, he had to work multiple jobs to support himself.

Paulsen found security at an early age in a small-town library, where a librarian gave him his first library card and introduced him to books. He read constantly, sometimes finishing several books a week.

Paulsen eventually went on to college and began writing. He published his first book, Special War, in 1966. Since then, he has published numerous articles and books, ranging from adult how-to plumbing books to westerns, historical fiction, mysteries, and many titles for young people. Paulsen has also been a serious trapper, sailor, and dog-sledder. He has run dog teams in two Iditarod races in Alaska.

Paulsen says he is not like other writers. In an interview in Booklist, he explains, "Well, I'm absolutely driven. I simply can't not write. I tried it when I ran dogs, but I ended up writing in longhand by the campfire when the dogs were sleeping . . . I love it. The hair goes up on the back of my neck when I work, even after 180 books."