Neal Shusterman

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Neal Shusterman
Neal shusterman 2013.jpg
Shusterman at the 2013 Texas Book Festival
Born (1962-11-12) November 12, 1962 (age 61)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationNovelist
LanguageEnglish
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater University of California, Irvine
Period1988–present
Genre Young adult fiction, dystopian fiction, science fiction
Notable works
Notable awards National Book Award for Young People's Literature
Children4
Website
storyman.com

Neal Shusterman (born November 12, 1962) is an American writer of young-adult fiction. He won the 2015 National Book Award for Young People's Literature for his book Challenger Deep and his novel, Scythe , was a 2017 Michael L. Printz Honor book. [1]

Contents

Early life

Shusterman was born on November 12, 1962, and raised in Brooklyn, New York City. From a young age, Shusterman was an avid reader. His family is Jewish, and has claimed that he is at least 40-50% North African Sephardic according to a DNA test. [2] [3] At the age of 16, Shusterman and his family moved to Mexico City. [4] He finished high school there at the American School Foundation and is quoted as saying that "Having an international experience changed my life, giving me a fresh perspective on the world, and a sense of confidence I might not have otherwise."[ citation needed ] He attended the University of California, Irvine, where he double-majored in psychology and theater, [5] and was also on the varsity swim team. [6] [7]

Career

After college, Shusterman worked as an assistant at the Irvin Arthur Associates, a talent agency in Los Angeles, where Lloyd Segan became his agent. Within a year, Shusterman had his first book deal and a screenwriting job. He lives in Florida. [8]

Shusterman has received numerous honors for his books, including the National Book Award in 2015 for his novel Challenger Deep , the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and the 2008 California Young Reader Medal for The Schwa Was Here . He served as a judge for the PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship in 2012. [9] His novels Downsiders and Full Tilt have each won over 20 awards. Unwind has won more than 30 awards and is in development with Universal TV as a television series. His novel Scythe is in development with Universal as a feature film.

He has been nominated four times (twice in 2019; 2020; 2023) in different categories of the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis and won the youth jury award in 2019. In March 2023 the German translation of the book Roxy, written with his son Jarrod Shusterman, was nominated by the youth jury. [10]

Shusterman has also written for TV, including the Original Disney Channel movie Pixel Perfect , as well as episodes of Goosebumps and Animorphs . [8] He has written for R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: The Series and is also adapting his novel Challenger Deep for 20th Century Fox.

Fellow author Orson Scott Card invited Shusterman to write novels parallel to Ender's Game about other characters from the series, but schedules didn't permit it, and Card wrote Ender's Shadow and the subsequent series himself. [11]

Awards

Bibliography

Fiction series

The N.O.A.H. Files trilogy

  • I am the Walrus [18]
  • Schock The Monkey [19]

The Accelerati trilogy (with Eric Elfman)

  • Tesla's Attic (2014) ISBN   978-1423148036 [20] [21] [22]
  • Edison's Alley (2015) ISBN   978-1423148067 [23] [24]
  • Hawking's Hallway (2016) ISBN   978-1423155218 [25]

Antsy Bonano

Arc of a Scythe

Dark Fusion

Shadow Club

Skinjacker trilogy

Star Shards

  • Scorpion Shards (1995) [48]
  • Thief of Souls (1999) [49]
  • Shattered Sky (2002) [50] [51]

The Unwind dystology

The X-Files

  • The X-Files Young Adult Series
  • 3) Bad Sign (1997) [writing as Easton Royce] [61] novelization of The X-Files episode Syzygy
  • 10) Dark Matter (1999) [writing as Easton Royce] novelization of The X-Files episode Soft Light
  • The X-Files Young Readers Series
  • 8) Voltage (1996) [writing as Easton Royce] novelization of The X-Files episode D.P.O.
  • 9) E.B.E. (1996) co-authored with Les Martin [writing as Easton Royce] novelization of The X-Files episode E.B.E.

Space: Above and Beyond

  • 1) The Aliens Approach (1996) [writing as Easton Royce] novelization of the pilot episode of the Space: Above and Beyond TV series
  • 3) Mutiny (1996) [writing as Easton Royce] novelization of the Space: Above and Beyond episode, Mutiny

Novels

Picture books

Short stories

Short story collections

Games

Nonfiction

Poems

Screenwriting credits

Television

Film

Related Research Articles

This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1999.

The Ender's Game series is a series of science fiction books written by American author Orson Scott Card. The series started with the novelette Ender's Game, which was later expanded into the novel of the same title. It currently consists of sixteen novels, thirteen short stories, 47 comic issues, an audioplay, and a film. The first two novels in the series, Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead, each won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shannon Hale</span> American author (born 1974)

Shannon Hale is an American author primarily of young adult fantasy, including the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy and The Goose Girl. Her first novel for adults, Austenland, was adapted into a film in 2013. She is a graduate of the University of Utah and the University of Montana. She has also co-written with her husband, Dean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kermit Roosevelt III</span> American writer and lawyer

Kermit Roosevelt III is an American author, lawyer, and legal scholar. He is a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a great-great-grandson of United States President Theodore Roosevelt and a distant cousin of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Eric Elfman is an American writer with a special interest in science fiction, fantasy, UFOs, and paranormal events. He is the author of 14 books for middle-grade and young adult readers, including the Accelerati Trilogy, which he co-wrote with Neal Shusterman, Almanac of Alien Encounters, Almanac of the Gross, Disgusting, and Totally Repulsive, and Very Scary Almanac.

<i>The Schwa Was Here</i> 2004 book by Neal Shusterman

The Schwa Was Here is a young adult novel by Neal Shusterman, published by Dutton Penguin in 2004. It is about an eighth-grader's friendship with another student named Calvin Schwa, who goes almost completely unnoticed by the people around him.

<i>Unwind</i> (novel) 2007 novel by Neal Shusterman

Unwind is a 2007 dystopian novel by young adult literature author Neal Shusterman. It takes place in the United States in the near future. After the Second Civil War, which was labeled "The Heartland War", was fought over abortion, a compromise was reached, allowing parents to sign an order for their children between the ages of 13 and 18 to be "unwound" — taken to "harvest camps" and dissected into their body parts for later use. The reasoning is that, since 99.44% of the body is used, unwinds do not technically die because their individual body parts live on.

<i>First Light</i> (Stead novel) 2007 novel by Rebecca Stead

First Light is a young adult science fiction and mystery novel by Rebecca Stead, first published in 2007. The novel follows Peter, who is in Greenland with his father and mother for research on global warming, and Thea, who lives in Gracehope, an underground colony located below Greenland. First Light explains how global warming is melting Gracehope and Peter and Thea's attempt to persuade the people to leave. The novel addresses the effects of global warming as a theme.

<i>Everlost</i> 2006 fantasy novel by Neal Shusterman

Everlost is a fantasy book published in 2006 by the young adult author Neal Shusterman. The story is the first in the Skinjacker trilogy that takes place in Everlost, the place between life and death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everwild</span> Book by Neal Shusterman

Everwild is a 2009 fantasy novel by American young adult author Neal Shusterman. The book is the second book in the Skinjacker Trilogy, which takes place in Everlost, a limbo-like place between life and death.

Jenn Bennett is an American author of novels for teens and adults. Her notable works include Alex, Approximately, Starry Eyes, and The Anatomical Shape of a Heart. Her books have received critical acclaim and award recognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer A. Nielsen</span> American author

Jennifer Anne Nielsen is an American author known primarily for young adult fiction. Her works include the Ascendance Series, Behind Enemy Lines, The Mark of the Thief, A Night Divided, and the Underworld Chronicles.

<i>Scythe</i> (novel) 2016 novel by Neal Shusterman

Scythe is a 2016 young-adult novel by Neal Shusterman and is the first in the Arc of a Scythe series. It is set in the far future, where death, disease, and unhappiness have been virtually eliminated thanks to advances in technology, and a benevolent artificial intelligence known as the Thunderhead peacefully governs a united Earth. The notable exception to the Thunderhead's rule is the Scythedom, a group of humans whose sole purpose is to replicate mortal death in order to keep the population growth in check.

Anna-Marie McLemore is a Mexican-American author of young adult fiction magical realism, best known for their Stonewall Honor-winning novel When the Moon Was Ours, Wild Beauty, and The Weight of Feathers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justina Ireland</span> American science-fiction writer

Justina Ireland is an American science-fiction and fantasy author of young adult fiction and former editor-in-chief of the FIYAH Literary Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction. She received the 2018 World Fantasy Award for Non-Professional Work. Her novel Dread Nation won the 2019 Locus Award, and was nominated for the Andre Norton, Bram Stoker, and Lodestar Awards.

<i>Thunderhead</i> (Shusterman novel) 2018 novel by Neal Shusterman

Thunderhead is a 2018 young-adult novel by Neal Shusterman and is the second in the Arc of a Scythe series, following Scythe.

<i>Challenger Deep</i> (novel) 2015 book by Neal Shusterman

Challenger Deep is a 2015 young adult novel by Neal Shusterman about a teenager's onset of schizophrenia. The story was based on his own son. It won the 2015 National Book Award for Young People's Literature and was placed on "Best of the Year" lists by Publishers Weekly, the New York Public Library, and the American Library Association.

<i>The Toll</i> (novel) 2019 novel by Neal Shusterman

The Toll is a 2019 young-adult novel by Neal Shusterman. It is the final book in the Arc of a Scythe series, following Scythe and Thunderhead. The novel was first published by Simon & Schuster on November 5, 2019. It received generally positive reviews.

References

  1. "About". Neal Shusterman. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  2. "Author Spotlight: Neal Shusterman". www.hercampus.com. November 28, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  3. Jensen, Kelly (May 26, 2020). "Neal Shusterman's Inclusive YA and Talking to the Author About Representation". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  4. Gale, Thomas. Neal Shusterman Biography. BookRags . Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  5. Yolsirivat, Nattanont (April 10, 2018). "The Wonderful Neal Shusterman". PantherNation. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  6. "Exploring the abyss". UCI News. March 10, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  7. "Scythe :: Kling Memorial Library". Kling Memorial Library. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Shusterman, Neal. "Neal Shusterman: Bio". storyman.com. Self published. Archived from the original on June 20, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2008.
  9. "Announcing the 2012 PEN Literary Award Recipients". PEN American Center . October 15, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  10. "Deutscher Jugendliteratur Preis 2023 Nominierungen" (PDF). Arbeitskreis für Jugendliteratur. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  11. Card himself describes the origins of the idea for Ender's Shadow and Shusterman's early involvement in the foreword of some editions of Ender's Shadow, including ISBN   978-0-7653-4240-9)
  12. "Past Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners". Horn Book Magazine. May 30, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  13. "Winners". CYRM. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  14. "2015 National Book Award Winner, Young People's Literature". Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  15. Alter, Alexandra (November 19, 2015). "Ta-Nehisi Coates Wins National Book Award". The New York Times . Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  16. "SCBWI | 2016 Golden Kite Winners" . Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  17. "Past Winners: Young Hoosier Book Awards" (PDF).
  18. "Goodreads: I am the Walrus". Goodreads . Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  19. "Goodreads: Shock the Monkey". Goodreads . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  20. "The Accelerati Trilogy, Book One: Tesla's Attic". Disney Publishing Worldwide. January 23, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  21. Shusterman, Neal. "Tesla's Attic – Book Description". storyman.com. Self published . Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  22. "TESLA'S ATTIC". Kirkus Reviews . December 7, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  23. "The Accelerati Trilogy, Book Two: Edison's Alley". Disney Publishing Worldwide. December 4, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  24. Shusterman, Neal. "Edison's Alley – Book Description". storyman.com. Self published . Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  25. Shusterman, Neal (June 3, 2015). "June 2015 News Tidbits". storyman.com. Self published . Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  26. "The Schwa – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  27. "THE SCHWA WAS HERE by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  28. "Antsy Does Time – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  29. "ANTSY DOES TIME by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  30. "Ship Out Of Luck – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  31. "SHIP OUT OF LUCK by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  32. "Sythe – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  33. "Four Questions for Neal Shusterman". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  34. "Dread Locks – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  35. "DREAD LOCKS by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  36. "Red Rider's Hood – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  37. "DARK FUSION by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  38. "Duckling Ugly – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  39. "DUCKLING UGLY by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  40. "The Shadow Club Rising – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  41. "THE SHADOW CLUB RISING by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  42. "Everlost – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  43. "EVERLOST by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  44. "Everwild – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  45. "EVERWILD by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  46. "Everfound – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  47. "EVERFOUND by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  48. "Scorpion Shards – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  49. "Thief Of Souls – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  50. "Shattered Sky – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  51. "SHATTERED SKY by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  52. "Unwind – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  53. "UNWIND by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  54. "UnWholly – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  55. "UNWHOLLY by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  56. "UnSouled – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  57. "UNSOULED by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  58. "UnDivided – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  59. "UNDIVIDED by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  60. "Digital Catalog – UnBound" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  61. royce, easton (1997). the x files bad sign (first ed.). HarperCollins. ISBN   9780064471701.
  62. "SPEEDING BULLET by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  63. "WHAT DADDY DID by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  64. "THE EYES OF KID MIDAS by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  65. "The Dark Side of Nowhere – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  66. "THE DARK SIDE OF NOWHERE by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  67. "Downsiders – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
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  69. "Full Tilt – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  70. "FULL TILT by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  71. "Bruiser – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  72. "BRUISER by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  73. "Challenger Deep – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  74. Archipelago, World. "Resurrection Bay – Neal Shusterman – E-book" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.