Schooled

Canadian author Gordon Korman (b. 1963) has significantly impacted late 20th- and early 21st-century middle-grade and young adult literature. With a career spanning five decades, Korman has published over 90 books, many of them series. Korman began writing when he was 12 years old, submitting a manuscript as a school assignment that later became his first novel, This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall! (1978). This book established Korman’s writing style as one that resonates with young readers due to its authenticity, wit, and understanding of the adolescent experience. Korman is a graduate of New York University’s film-writing program, and he lives with his family on Long Island.

Korman's signature ability is creating compelling characters who face both ordinary and extraordinary challenges. His books often focus on themes of friendship, family, and the trials of growing up, presented in a way that is both accessible and entertaining. Humor is a key feature in his stories, making even the most serious topics approachable for young readers. For instance, in No More Dead Dogs (2002), Korman subverts the traditional “dead dog” trope in children's literature, blending comedy with a commentary on the predictability of certain literary themes.