Gary Paulsen is an American writer of young adult literature, best known for his adventure stories and novels about the outdoors. He has written more than 200 books, including some of the best-selling children's books of all time, such as "Hatchet" and "Dogsong". His books have been translated into more than 40 languages and have sold more than 18 million copies worldwide. Paulsen began his writing career as a magazine journalist, but he soon began writing fiction for young adults. His first book, "Tiltawhirl John", was published in 1966. Since then, he has published more than 70 books, including novels, short stories, non-fiction, and poetry. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the American Library Association's Michael L. Printz Award and the National Book Award. Paulsen's books are often set in the wilderness, and many of them are based on his own experiences as an outdoorsman. He is an accomplished pilot, dog musher, canoeist, and skier, and he has trekked the length of the Appalachian Trail. His love of nature and adventure shines through in his writing, and his books have inspired many readers to explore the world around them.