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 62)
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 (2015)
Margaret A. Edwards Award (2024)
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] [2]

Contents

He won the Margaret Edwards Award in 2024 "honoring his significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens." [3]

Early life

Shusterman was born on November 12, 1962, and raised in Brooklyn, New York City. His family is Jewish. [4]

From a young age, Shusterman was an avid reader. At the age of 16, Shusterman and his family moved to Mexico City. [5] 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." [6] He attended the University of California, Irvine, where he double-majored in psychology and theater, and was also on the varsity swim team. [7] [8] [9]

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. [10]

Shusterman has received numerous honors for his books, including the 2005 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award and 2008 California Young Reader Medal for The Schwa Was Here, as well as the 2015 National Book Award for Challenger Deep . [11] He served as a judge for the PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship in 2012. [12] Unwind has won more than 30 awards and is in development with Constantin Film as a television series. [13]

In 2016, it was announced that his novel Scythe is in development with Universal as a feature film. [14] Challenger Deep was acquired by Disney+ in 2019, and Will McCormack has been selected to write the script. [15]

He has been nominated four times (twice in 2019; 2020; 2023) in different categories of the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis and won the Youth Jury Prize in 2019. In March 2023, the German translation of the book Roxy, written with his son Jarrod Shusterman, was nominated by the youth jury. [16]

Shusterman has also written for TV, including the Disney Channel Original Movie Pixel Perfect , and episodes of Goosebumps, Animorphs, and R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: The Series. [17]

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. [18]

Awards

Bibliography

Fiction series

The N.O.A.H. Files trilogy (with Eric Elfman)

  • I Am the Walrus (2023) [24]
  • Shock the Monkey (2024) [25]

The Accelerati trilogy (with Eric Elfman)

  • Tesla's Attic (2014) ISBN   978-1423148036 [26] [27] [28]
  • Edison's Alley (2015) ISBN   978-1423148067 [29] [30]
  • Hawking's Hallway (2016) ISBN   978-1423155218 [31]

Antsy Bonano

Arc of a Scythe

Dark Fusion

The Shadow Club Duology

The Skinjacker trilogy

The Star Shards Chronicles

  • Scorpion Shards (1995) [54]
  • Thief of Souls (1999) [55]
  • Shattered Sky (2002) [56] [57]

The Unwind dystology

The X-Files

  • The X-Files Young Adult Series
  • 3) Bad Sign (1997) [writing as Easton Royce] [67] 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

Other novels

Picture books

Short stories

Short story collections

Games

Nonfiction

Poems

Screenwriting credits

Television

Film

Related Research Articles

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.

Eric Elfman is an American author with a specializing in science fiction, fantasy, UFOs, and paranormal events. He has written over 14 books for young adults and middle-grade readers, including the Accelerati Trilogy, which was co-written 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 dystopian novel by Neal Shusterman. It takes place in the United States in the near future. After the Second Civil 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.

Kristin F. Cast is a Nigerian American author of young adult books and graphic novels, best known for the House of Night series and Sisters of Salem series, written with her mother, P. C. Cast.

<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.

<i>Divergent</i> (novel) 2011 novel by Veronica Roth

Divergent is the debut novel of American novelist Veronica Roth, published by HarperCollins Children's Books in 2011. The first in the Divergent series, a trilogy of young adult dystopian novels, the novel is set in a post-apocalyptic Chicago, where society defines its citizens by their social and personality-related affiliation with one of five factions. This rigid system has removed the threat of anyone exercising independent will and re-threatening the population's safety. In the story, Beatrice Prior joins the ranks of the Dauntless faction and explores her new identity as "Tris". Underlying the action- and dystopian-focused main plot is a romantic subplot between Tris and "Four", one of her instructors in the Dauntless faction.

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.

Charlie Nicholes Holmberg is an American fantasy writer best known for The Paper Magician series. She is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in English in 2010. Her first novel, The Paper Magician, was released in 2014. Holmberg expanded the book into a series, the film rights for which were purchased by Disney in 2016. In addition to her other book series, Holmberg has published seven standalone novels. She is a multi-Whitney Award recipient for The Fifth Doll (2017), The Will and the Wilds (2020), Star Mother (2021), and Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (2022). The Hanging City was a 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist. Many of her other works have been nominated for literary awards as well. In addition to writing, Holmberg cohosts the podcast Your Mom Writes Books.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erin Bow</span> American author

Erin Bow is an American-born Canadian author. Among other awards and honors, she won the 2011 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award for Plain Kate, the 2014 Monica Hughes Award for Sorrow's Knot, the 2016 Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award for The Scorpion Rules, and a 2019 Governor General's Award for Stand on the Sky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Reynolds</span> American young adult novelist (born 1983)

Jason Reynolds is an American author of novels and poetry for young adult and middle grade audiences. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in neighboring Oxon Hill, Maryland, Reynolds found inspiration in rap and had an early focus on poetry, publishing several poetry collections before his first novel in 2014, When I Was the Greatest, which won the John Steptoe Award for New Talent.

<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.

<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>All My Rage</i> 2022 novel by Sabaa Tahir

All My Rage is a contemporary young adult novel written by Pakistani-American author Sabaa Tahir. It was published on March 1, 2022 by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Random House. All My Rage is the fifth book written by Tahir and her first standalone book. It explores two high school students struggling to balance family, grief, love, life and a desperate desire to escape a small town that only seems to be suffocating them.

<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. "National Book Awards 2015". National Book Foundation. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  2. "Printz Award 2017 | Young Adult Library Services Association". www.ala.org. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  3. "Neal Shusterman wins 2024 Edwards Award for 'The Arc of the Scythe: Scythe, Thunderhead and The Toll,' 'Bruiser,' 'Challenger Deep,' 'Everlost,' 'Full Tilt,' 'The Schwa Was Here' and 'Unwind' | ALA". www.ala.org. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  4. Jensen, Kelly (May 26, 2020). "Neal Shusterman's Inclusive YA and Talking to the Author About Representation". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  5. Gale, Thomas. Neal Shusterman Biography. BookRags . Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  6. "About". Neal Shusterman. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  7. Yolsirivat, Nattanont (April 10, 2018). "The Wonderful Neal Shusterman". PantherNation. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  8. "Exploring the abyss". UCI News. March 10, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  9. "Scythe :: Kling Memorial Library". Kling Memorial Library. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  10. Shusterman, Neal. "Neal Shusterman: Bio". storyman.com. Self published. Archived from the original on June 20, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2008.
  11. 1 2 3 Book, Horn. "Past Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners". The Horn Book. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  12. "Announcing the 2012 PEN Literary Award Recipients". PEN American Center . October 15, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  13. "UNWIND Movie News!". Neal Shusterman. July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  14. Galuppo, Mia (May 6, 2016). "Universal to Adapt Upcoming Neal Shusterman YA Series, Starting With 'Scythe' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  15. Jr, Mike Fleming (July 25, 2019). "Disney+ Acquires Neal Shusterman Novel 'Challenger Deep' With 'Toy Story 4's Will McCormack Adapting". Deadline. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  16. "Deutscher Jugendliteratur Preis 2023 Nominierungen" (PDF). Arbeitskreis für Jugendliteratur. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  17. "Neal Shusterman | Writer, Producer". IMDb. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  18. 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)
  19. "Winners". CYRM. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  20. "2015 National Book Award Winner, Young People's Literature". Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  21. M.ed, Lee Wind (July 29, 2016). "The Official SCBWI Conference Blog: The 2016 Golden Kite Award-Winner For Fiction: Neal Shusterman for Challenge Deep". The Official SCBWI Conference Blog. Retrieved July 2, 2024.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  22. "Printz Award 2017 | Young Adult Library Services Association". www.ala.org. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  23. "Past Winners: Young Hoosier Book Awards" (PDF).
  24. "Goodreads: I am the Walrus". Goodreads . Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  25. "Goodreads: Shock the Monkey". Goodreads . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  26. "The Accelerati Trilogy, Book One: Tesla's Attic". Disney Publishing Worldwide. January 23, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  27. Shusterman, Neal. "Tesla's Attic – Book Description". storyman.com. Self published . Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  28. "TESLA'S ATTIC". Kirkus Reviews . December 7, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  29. "The Accelerati Trilogy, Book Two: Edison's Alley". Disney Publishing Worldwide. December 4, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  30. Shusterman, Neal. "Edison's Alley – Book Description". storyman.com. Self published . Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  31. Shusterman, Neal (June 3, 2015). "June 2015 News Tidbits". storyman.com. Self published . Retrieved June 23, 2015.
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  34. "Antsy Does Time – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  35. "ANTSY DOES TIME by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
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  39. "Four Questions for Neal Shusterman". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
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  41. "DREAD LOCKS by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  42. "Red Rider's Hood – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  43. "DARK FUSION by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  44. "Duckling Ugly – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  45. "DUCKLING UGLY by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  46. "The Shadow Club Rising – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
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  49. "EVERLOST by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  50. "Everwild – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  51. "EVERWILD by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  52. "Everfound – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  53. "EVERFOUND by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  54. "Scorpion Shards – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  55. "Thief Of Souls – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  56. "Shattered Sky – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  57. "SHATTERED SKY by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  58. "Unwind – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  59. "UNWIND by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  60. "UnWholly – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  61. "UNWHOLLY by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  62. "UnSouled – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  63. "UNSOULED by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  64. "UnDivided – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  65. "UNDIVIDED by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  66. "Digital Catalog – UnBound" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  67. royce, easton (1997). the x files bad sign (first ed.). HarperCollins. ISBN   9780064471701.
  68. "SPEEDING BULLET by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  69. "WHAT DADDY DID by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  70. "THE EYES OF KID MIDAS by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  71. "The Dark Side of Nowhere – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  72. "THE DARK SIDE OF NOWHERE by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  73. "Downsiders – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  74. "DOWNSIDERS by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  75. "Full Tilt – Neal Shusterman" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
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  78. "BRUISER by Neal Shusterman – Kirkus Reviews" . Retrieved June 25, 2016.
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